Showing posts with label 2010 FIFA World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 FIFA World Cup. Show all posts
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
On The South African Fans At The 2010 FIFA World Cup
I should preface this by saying that every sports town, and in this case, country, may have their own unique traditions and ways of voicing their pleasure/displeasure, but unless what the South Africans have displayed over the past month is exact opposite of what we are accustomed too, they should be ashamed of themselves. They have, in fact, embarrassed their country.
I could pinpoint several examples from what I have seen, but I am going to focus on three things, for simplicity's sake. They are also listed in order from least offensive to most offensive.
1. This is more of a nit-pick than anything else, but it seemed like attendance could have been better at some of the games. Granted South Africa is a mainly poor country and these World Cup tickets have to be quite expensive, but I still expected to see better than some half-empty stadiums. Granted not every game is an eye-catching thriller, but one would think that Slovakia and Paraguay could at least draw better than 28,043 fans. Just because it is Slovakia and Paraguay, does not mean it is any less important of a game or it should be ignored just because those 2 teams don't play the most eye-catching soccer in the world. Most games drew well, but for others like Slovakia and Paraguay playing in a barely 2/3 full Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, it was frustrating to watch. This is the freakin' World Cup. Any match should draw better than that.
2. South Africans are fair weather quitters. Like it or not, when Bafana Bafana were not doing well at all, most notably in their affair against Uruguay, the fans embarrassed themselves by the thousands by leaving the game in the 85th minute when it was only 2-0 Uruguay. This is the World Cup and even though South Africa was not playing their best soccer that night in Pretoria, that team still deserved better than to see their fans by the shitload walk out on them in a game that was not yet fully out of reach. It's not like it was a 7-0 stomping. 2 goals is manageable in the period of 5 minutes plus, especially if you get the first one right away. It may not happen often, but it can happen. Maybe I am in the minority here, but I was quite disgusted that so many fans would walk out on their home team in the midst of a World Cup game that they were not yet fully out of. Have some faith for goodness sakes. Believe in miracles. Don't just tuck your tails in and walk away like most American fair-weather fans would have done in that situation. Not for nothing, but in other games involving African teams on the losing side of the game toward the end, I noticed the fans leaving those games early as well. This is bad, but the worst came today in the 3rd place game.
3. "Africans booing Suarez shows complete lack of understanding of the game"
"Disgraceful."
Those were the words Ian Darke used to describe the fans' treatment of Luis Suarez in this game. And quite frankly, he has never been more right in this World Cup. We all know what Luis Suarez did in the semifinal against Ghana, but the fact of the matter is he should not be vilified the way he has been wrongly vilified on that continent. Whether it was instinctual or not, only Luis Suarez knows for sure what he was thinking during that controversial moment, but the fact of the matter is he only did what just about any other professional soccer player would have done in that situation. He could not reach it with his head so he used any means necessary to prevent the ball from going in. Luis Suarez was rightly punished for that act with a red card and a penalty kick was rightly awarded to Ghana. Suarez is a complete after thought if that shot goes in. How on earth should Suarez be booed for Gyan's ineptness? But that did not even end the game. No, it went to PKs. How should Suarez be blamed for Mensah taking the worst run up to a penalty kick the World Cup has ever seen? How should Suarez be blamed for Richard Kingson guessing too soon and helplessly watching as Sebastian Abreu kicked the cheekiest penalty right down the middle to win the game for Uruguay? How is that Suarez's fault? Oh, but "he cheated." NO! Cheating is what you do when you get away with it. Suarez was given the appropriate punishment. Ghana was given the appropriate reward. Gyan choked. Mensah choked. Kingson choked. Ghana choked. Somebody tell me how that is Suarez's fault? Guess what, you can't. Because it's not. Suarez may have saved a goal by doing what any other professional would have done in the same scenario, but Ghana had every chance in the world to win it afterward. And they choked.
But the silliness of the booing does not even end there. Let's step back for a moment and journey into the Land Of What Ifs. What if this whole mess was completely reversed. Uruguay got the last free kick of extra time. Gyan's handball off the line prevented a winning goal for Uruguay. Diego Forlan inexplicably missed the subsequent penalty. Ghana won the game in extra time. Then what? Asamoah Gyan would be a hero all across Africa, that's what. Because guess what, he would have done it by doing what every other professional would have done in the same situation. He would have been properly punished for it. Uruguay would have been properly rewarded for it. And Ghana would have won it anyway. And the continent would celebrate Gyan like he was Nelson Mandela himself. It would have been because of him that Africa would have seen it's 1st ever World Cup semifinalist. And no African would have denied him his glory.
And the African fan idiocy in this situation does not even end THERE. Let's trace our steps back to the Ghanaian Round of 16 game against the United States. Let's re-visit extra time shall we, and all the events that happened after Asamoah Gyan's goal. Players laid on the ground much longer than they needed to, one guy even started to get up before embarrassingly going back down to lie on his back for another 2 minutes, Milovan Rajevac used a substitution to stall for time by bringing out the guy farthest from the Ghanaian bench who proceeded to stall even more by taking a leisurely walk to the bench rather than the much more traditional and sportsman like job. Now am I complaining about this, no. I understand it is part of the game, however cowardly it may be. But what African fans should understand is that they are essentially accusing Luis Suarez as an underhanded cheat when in the last round, they themselves were employing similar tactics! And for those of you who think I am barking mad for my above scenario in which Gyan would be a hero for the handball off the line, guess what, Ghana was met with nothing but love and support in South Africa after they "cheated" to beat the United States. But because the shoe is on the other foot, Luis Suarez is labeled the devil. It is, as Ian Darke said, disgraceful, embarrassing, and it completely illustrates a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of these fans. And it's not that they booed Suarez once and that was it. They were booing him the whole damn match in Port Elizabeth! Suarez touch in the 3rd minute...BOO! Suarez touch in the 27th minute....BOO! Suarez touch in the 65th minute....BOO! Suarez touch in the 77th minute...BOO! If I did not know any better, I would have thought that Montreal Canadien fans had invaded the World Cup. Yes, it was that hypocritical. Yes, it was that embarrassing. Yes, it was that disgraceful.
When the moment first happened that fateful night in Johannesburg, I felt bad for Ghana. I was putting their tactics in the Round of 16 game behind me and hoping they would make African history. Looking back, I no longer feel remorse for them and that incident. The fans showed their true colors in that 3rd place game. And they were not the best colors South Africa has shown.
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World Cup Finals Prediction: Because I correctly predicted the scoreline of the Germany-Uruguay game on Twitter, I figured to put myself out there on the blog this time and predict a 1-0 win for Spain in the championship on Sunday. You heard it here first.
I could pinpoint several examples from what I have seen, but I am going to focus on three things, for simplicity's sake. They are also listed in order from least offensive to most offensive.
1. This is more of a nit-pick than anything else, but it seemed like attendance could have been better at some of the games. Granted South Africa is a mainly poor country and these World Cup tickets have to be quite expensive, but I still expected to see better than some half-empty stadiums. Granted not every game is an eye-catching thriller, but one would think that Slovakia and Paraguay could at least draw better than 28,043 fans. Just because it is Slovakia and Paraguay, does not mean it is any less important of a game or it should be ignored just because those 2 teams don't play the most eye-catching soccer in the world. Most games drew well, but for others like Slovakia and Paraguay playing in a barely 2/3 full Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, it was frustrating to watch. This is the freakin' World Cup. Any match should draw better than that.
2. South Africans are fair weather quitters. Like it or not, when Bafana Bafana were not doing well at all, most notably in their affair against Uruguay, the fans embarrassed themselves by the thousands by leaving the game in the 85th minute when it was only 2-0 Uruguay. This is the World Cup and even though South Africa was not playing their best soccer that night in Pretoria, that team still deserved better than to see their fans by the shitload walk out on them in a game that was not yet fully out of reach. It's not like it was a 7-0 stomping. 2 goals is manageable in the period of 5 minutes plus, especially if you get the first one right away. It may not happen often, but it can happen. Maybe I am in the minority here, but I was quite disgusted that so many fans would walk out on their home team in the midst of a World Cup game that they were not yet fully out of. Have some faith for goodness sakes. Believe in miracles. Don't just tuck your tails in and walk away like most American fair-weather fans would have done in that situation. Not for nothing, but in other games involving African teams on the losing side of the game toward the end, I noticed the fans leaving those games early as well. This is bad, but the worst came today in the 3rd place game.
3. "Africans booing Suarez shows complete lack of understanding of the game"
"Disgraceful."
Those were the words Ian Darke used to describe the fans' treatment of Luis Suarez in this game. And quite frankly, he has never been more right in this World Cup. We all know what Luis Suarez did in the semifinal against Ghana, but the fact of the matter is he should not be vilified the way he has been wrongly vilified on that continent. Whether it was instinctual or not, only Luis Suarez knows for sure what he was thinking during that controversial moment, but the fact of the matter is he only did what just about any other professional soccer player would have done in that situation. He could not reach it with his head so he used any means necessary to prevent the ball from going in. Luis Suarez was rightly punished for that act with a red card and a penalty kick was rightly awarded to Ghana. Suarez is a complete after thought if that shot goes in. How on earth should Suarez be booed for Gyan's ineptness? But that did not even end the game. No, it went to PKs. How should Suarez be blamed for Mensah taking the worst run up to a penalty kick the World Cup has ever seen? How should Suarez be blamed for Richard Kingson guessing too soon and helplessly watching as Sebastian Abreu kicked the cheekiest penalty right down the middle to win the game for Uruguay? How is that Suarez's fault? Oh, but "he cheated." NO! Cheating is what you do when you get away with it. Suarez was given the appropriate punishment. Ghana was given the appropriate reward. Gyan choked. Mensah choked. Kingson choked. Ghana choked. Somebody tell me how that is Suarez's fault? Guess what, you can't. Because it's not. Suarez may have saved a goal by doing what any other professional would have done in the same scenario, but Ghana had every chance in the world to win it afterward. And they choked.
But the silliness of the booing does not even end there. Let's step back for a moment and journey into the Land Of What Ifs. What if this whole mess was completely reversed. Uruguay got the last free kick of extra time. Gyan's handball off the line prevented a winning goal for Uruguay. Diego Forlan inexplicably missed the subsequent penalty. Ghana won the game in extra time. Then what? Asamoah Gyan would be a hero all across Africa, that's what. Because guess what, he would have done it by doing what every other professional would have done in the same situation. He would have been properly punished for it. Uruguay would have been properly rewarded for it. And Ghana would have won it anyway. And the continent would celebrate Gyan like he was Nelson Mandela himself. It would have been because of him that Africa would have seen it's 1st ever World Cup semifinalist. And no African would have denied him his glory.
And the African fan idiocy in this situation does not even end THERE. Let's trace our steps back to the Ghanaian Round of 16 game against the United States. Let's re-visit extra time shall we, and all the events that happened after Asamoah Gyan's goal. Players laid on the ground much longer than they needed to, one guy even started to get up before embarrassingly going back down to lie on his back for another 2 minutes, Milovan Rajevac used a substitution to stall for time by bringing out the guy farthest from the Ghanaian bench who proceeded to stall even more by taking a leisurely walk to the bench rather than the much more traditional and sportsman like job. Now am I complaining about this, no. I understand it is part of the game, however cowardly it may be. But what African fans should understand is that they are essentially accusing Luis Suarez as an underhanded cheat when in the last round, they themselves were employing similar tactics! And for those of you who think I am barking mad for my above scenario in which Gyan would be a hero for the handball off the line, guess what, Ghana was met with nothing but love and support in South Africa after they "cheated" to beat the United States. But because the shoe is on the other foot, Luis Suarez is labeled the devil. It is, as Ian Darke said, disgraceful, embarrassing, and it completely illustrates a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of these fans. And it's not that they booed Suarez once and that was it. They were booing him the whole damn match in Port Elizabeth! Suarez touch in the 3rd minute...BOO! Suarez touch in the 27th minute....BOO! Suarez touch in the 65th minute....BOO! Suarez touch in the 77th minute...BOO! If I did not know any better, I would have thought that Montreal Canadien fans had invaded the World Cup. Yes, it was that hypocritical. Yes, it was that embarrassing. Yes, it was that disgraceful.
When the moment first happened that fateful night in Johannesburg, I felt bad for Ghana. I was putting their tactics in the Round of 16 game behind me and hoping they would make African history. Looking back, I no longer feel remorse for them and that incident. The fans showed their true colors in that 3rd place game. And they were not the best colors South Africa has shown.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
World Cup Finals Prediction: Because I correctly predicted the scoreline of the Germany-Uruguay game on Twitter, I figured to put myself out there on the blog this time and predict a 1-0 win for Spain in the championship on Sunday. You heard it here first.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Broadcast Information For The World Cup Finals This Sunday On ABC
From an ESPN press release.
On a more serious note, hopefully this 3rd place game will not be the last time that we hear Ian Darke on ESPN and American television. Whether they bring him in to call MLS, the upcoming Euros, or a future World Cup, he needs to be heard in the States again. He has been the best announcer of this World Cup by miles (and to think this is in the same category as Martin Tyler), and has been a complete joy to listen to.
I'll have a more elaborate preview post up sometime before the match starts.
ABC will provide live coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Sunday, July 11, from Soccer City in Johannesburg. The one-hour pre-match show starts at 1:30 p.m. ET. Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku will call the title match.I hope you all like John Harkes!
John Harkes and Ian Darke will work the 3rd place match between Uruguay and Germany on Saturday, July 10, in Port Elizabeth. The match will be broadcast on ABC with coverage starting at 2 p.m. In addition to ESPN’s roster of studio hosts and analysts, Harkes will join Bob Ley at Soccer City for pre-match, halftime and post-match analysis.
On a more serious note, hopefully this 3rd place game will not be the last time that we hear Ian Darke on ESPN and American television. Whether they bring him in to call MLS, the upcoming Euros, or a future World Cup, he needs to be heard in the States again. He has been the best announcer of this World Cup by miles (and to think this is in the same category as Martin Tyler), and has been a complete joy to listen to.
I'll have a more elaborate preview post up sometime before the match starts.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Very Quick Semifinal Predictions
My poor life decision of buying FIFA World Cup South Africa for my PS3 has resulted in an unhealthy addiction to a video game I have not experienced in quite a few years. As a result of said addiction, I really did not have time to fully predict the games like I had hoped to. Regardless, I know you all want to be spoiled as to who will play for the World Championship, so I will tell you what the results will be.
Netherlands 2, Uruguay 1: A Suarez-less Uruguay will spell their doom. Diego Forlan will be able to muster 1 goal and the Uruguayan defense (consisting of Philadelphia's favorite soccer player, the Flyin' Uruguayan Mauricio Victorino) will hold the Dutch in check for the most part, but a break through from Robben and a goal from Dirk Kuyt will be enough to send the Netherlands to the World Cup Finals for the first time since 1978. Click here for a Uruguay-Netherlands live blog
Germany 3, Spain 1: Germany may be without Thomas Muller, but this is one of the most dangerous and exciting counter-attacking teams I have seen in the past 2 World Cups. They are down right nasty and despite his lack of production in club play, Miroslav Klose is a deadly striker when he puts on the German kit. The Germans may be without Muller, but as far as Spain goes, nothing I have seen from them has impressed me that much. They are a passing team and they have done that well, but defensively they have had lapses that their past 2 opponents failed to capitalize on and offensively, the only player that can score is David Villa. The German back line is their weakest point and incredibly they have conceded more shots in their past 2 blowout wins than they actually put on themselves, but they have been good enough to get the job done. And with only 1 of Spain's offensive threats showing up for this World Cup, there is a good chance Germany will be good enough to contain Spain while once again unleashing their deadly counter attack. Villa gets a 6th goal in 2010, but Klose will surpass Ronaldo and Ozil will bury the dagger late in the game to send Germany to the finals to give us a Dutch vs. Deutsch final.
Netherlands 2, Uruguay 1: A Suarez-less Uruguay will spell their doom. Diego Forlan will be able to muster 1 goal and the Uruguayan defense (consisting of Philadelphia's favorite soccer player, the Flyin' Uruguayan Mauricio Victorino) will hold the Dutch in check for the most part, but a break through from Robben and a goal from Dirk Kuyt will be enough to send the Netherlands to the World Cup Finals for the first time since 1978. Click here for a Uruguay-Netherlands live blog
Germany 3, Spain 1: Germany may be without Thomas Muller, but this is one of the most dangerous and exciting counter-attacking teams I have seen in the past 2 World Cups. They are down right nasty and despite his lack of production in club play, Miroslav Klose is a deadly striker when he puts on the German kit. The Germans may be without Muller, but as far as Spain goes, nothing I have seen from them has impressed me that much. They are a passing team and they have done that well, but defensively they have had lapses that their past 2 opponents failed to capitalize on and offensively, the only player that can score is David Villa. The German back line is their weakest point and incredibly they have conceded more shots in their past 2 blowout wins than they actually put on themselves, but they have been good enough to get the job done. And with only 1 of Spain's offensive threats showing up for this World Cup, there is a good chance Germany will be good enough to contain Spain while once again unleashing their deadly counter attack. Villa gets a 6th goal in 2010, but Klose will surpass Ronaldo and Ozil will bury the dagger late in the game to send Germany to the finals to give us a Dutch vs. Deutsch final.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Biggest Choke In World Cup Sports History?
As an American, I must admit, I got an odd sense of schadenfreude in what just happened in Johannesburg, even though I was admittedly rooting for Ghana. The team that knocked the United States out on an unfairly given penalty in 2006 the team that knocked the United States out in 2010 in extra time after pulling every little cheap, cowardly trick in the book (that's not to say that other teams wouldn't have done it, but as a U.S. fan, it was incredibly irritating to watch), just got the world's harshest comeuppance in an ending that no one will ever forget.
Literally at the end of extra time, Ghana was awarded a free kick that resulted in a chance that was cleared off the line. The rebound went to a Ghanaian player who would have surely had a goal had it not been for a Luis Suarez handball on the line. The referee red-carded Suarez and awarded Ghana the penalty. Gyan, who had made 2 penalties already in this World Cup, stepped up to take this one. The last kick of the game. The one that would finally send an African team to the semifinals of the World Cup.........
....OFF THE CROSSBAR!
Uruguay won the penalty shootout, 4-2. Uruguay is going to Cape Town to meet the Netherlands in the semifinals of the World Cup.
It may be soccer and it may not be grained in the American fiber as sports such as baseball and American football are, but being this happened in the quarterfinals of the biggest sporting event in the world, surely it has to be one of the biggest chokes in the history of sports, does it not? Missing a PK in the dying seconds of extra time to send the game to a PK shootout which you go on to lose? Simply one of the most stunning moments you will ever see in sports.
(Hat tip to the SBNation.com front page for the screenshot).
Diego Maradona: Soccer Legend, Argentina Coach, Cigar Smoker
What could possibly be better than Diego Maradona coaching Argentina? Diego Maradona smoking a cigar during a recent training session with Argentina!
It's not everyday that you can make smoking a cigar look hip, but I think Diego somehow managed to pull it off.
Argentina plays Germany tomorrow at 9:30 AM ET on ABC. Germany will no doubt be Argentina's toughest test to date, but with the power of Diego Maradona and His Cigar, Argentina might just be able to get Sergio Romero and that Argentina back line to play the game of their lives and pull off the win and advance to the semifinals to meet the winner of the Paraguay-Spain snoozefest.
It's not everyday that you can make smoking a cigar look hip, but I think Diego somehow managed to pull it off.
Argentina plays Germany tomorrow at 9:30 AM ET on ABC. Germany will no doubt be Argentina's toughest test to date, but with the power of Diego Maradona and His Cigar, Argentina might just be able to get Sergio Romero and that Argentina back line to play the game of their lives and pull off the win and advance to the semifinals to meet the winner of the Paraguay-Spain snoozefest.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
World Cup Quarterfinal Announce Schedule And My Predictions
July 2
Quarterfinals: Netherlands vs. Brazil 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Quarterfinals: Uruguay vs. Ghana 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
July 3
Quarterfinals: Argentina vs. Germany 10:00 AM (Cape Town) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Quarterfinals: Paraguay vs. Spain 2:30 (Johannesburg EPS) (ABC - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Netherlands vs. Brazil: This is certainly one of the most intriguing quarterfinal matches this year. The Netherlands is a team that has never been overly impressive, but at the same time, have done what was required to get the job all done and all the while never being in any serious jeopardy of losing a match or allowing a lesser team to draw them. Brazil had a shaky start against the North Koreans, demolished a very good Cote d'Ivoire side, played a foreign game unknown to man against Portugal, and tore apart a Chilean team who does nothing but attack. This game will provide each team with their biggest test thus far, and unless the Netherlands can pull it all together, something they have been teasing us with but not yet accomplished, I don't see them beating Brazil. Final prediction: Brazil 1, Netherlands 0
Uruguay vs. Ghana: Ghana has the chance to be the first African team to ever advance to the semifinals of the World Cup. Uruguay has a chance to be in the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1950. History will be made in Johannesburg, and even though Suarez and Forlan can are dangerous up top, I am not really feeling Uruguay in this game. Their defense looked rather shaky against South Korea, and if that continues, Ghana is a much more physical side that is better at creating opportunities and ultimately, scoring goals. Final Prediction: Ghana 2, Uruguay 1.
Argentina vs. Germany: I am trying to prevent my biases from clouding my judgment, but I have a hard time trying to picture a scenario where this is not the best game of this round. Both offenses are dynamite and both back lines can be shaky and suspect. My heart is telling me that Messi will finally score and lift his team to victory, but my head is telling me that Germany will be too much for the Argentina back line and Sergio Romero. Final Prediction: Germany 4, Argentina 2.
Spain vs. Paraguay: Zzzzzzzzzzz. Final Prediction: Spain 0, Paraguay 0 (Spain wins on PKs).
Quarterfinals: Netherlands vs. Brazil 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Quarterfinals: Uruguay vs. Ghana 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
July 3
Quarterfinals: Argentina vs. Germany 10:00 AM (Cape Town) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Quarterfinals: Paraguay vs. Spain 2:30 (Johannesburg EPS) (ABC - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Netherlands vs. Brazil: This is certainly one of the most intriguing quarterfinal matches this year. The Netherlands is a team that has never been overly impressive, but at the same time, have done what was required to get the job all done and all the while never being in any serious jeopardy of losing a match or allowing a lesser team to draw them. Brazil had a shaky start against the North Koreans, demolished a very good Cote d'Ivoire side, played a foreign game unknown to man against Portugal, and tore apart a Chilean team who does nothing but attack. This game will provide each team with their biggest test thus far, and unless the Netherlands can pull it all together, something they have been teasing us with but not yet accomplished, I don't see them beating Brazil. Final prediction: Brazil 1, Netherlands 0
Uruguay vs. Ghana: Ghana has the chance to be the first African team to ever advance to the semifinals of the World Cup. Uruguay has a chance to be in the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1950. History will be made in Johannesburg, and even though Suarez and Forlan can are dangerous up top, I am not really feeling Uruguay in this game. Their defense looked rather shaky against South Korea, and if that continues, Ghana is a much more physical side that is better at creating opportunities and ultimately, scoring goals. Final Prediction: Ghana 2, Uruguay 1.
Argentina vs. Germany: I am trying to prevent my biases from clouding my judgment, but I have a hard time trying to picture a scenario where this is not the best game of this round. Both offenses are dynamite and both back lines can be shaky and suspect. My heart is telling me that Messi will finally score and lift his team to victory, but my head is telling me that Germany will be too much for the Argentina back line and Sergio Romero. Final Prediction: Germany 4, Argentina 2.
Spain vs. Paraguay: Zzzzzzzzzzz. Final Prediction: Spain 0, Paraguay 0 (Spain wins on PKs).
Saturday, June 26, 2010
FIFA World Cup Round Of 16 Open Thread
Volunteering at an 18th century Pennsylvania German home that George Washington spent a few days in in October of 1777 and working all day today has led me to get way behind in World Cup games. Again. I am just getting to Group F now. For realz.
So here is how this is going to go, I will try my best to avoid as many spoilers as I possibly can (my DVR has not grasped this concept so I do know some things I have not seen yet), and consider this your entire Round of 16 open thread. I may be on Twitter some evenings tweeting about Phillies and the Flyers, but until then, you are not likely to see much in terms of blog posts, unless of course the Flyers pull the trigger on the much speculated trade for the rights of Evgeni Nabokov. The good news is I will be caught up by the time the quarterfinals roll around.
Obviously I have not looked at ESPN commentator press releases yet, so I can't tell you who is announcing what other than Ian Darke is working the U.S. game on Saturday.
USA! USA! USA!
For those like seeing happy humans, here are tons of people worldwide watching and reacting as they watch Landon Donovan's game-winner against Algeria live.
So here is how this is going to go, I will try my best to avoid as many spoilers as I possibly can (my DVR has not grasped this concept so I do know some things I have not seen yet), and consider this your entire Round of 16 open thread. I may be on Twitter some evenings tweeting about Phillies and the Flyers, but until then, you are not likely to see much in terms of blog posts, unless of course the Flyers pull the trigger on the much speculated trade for the rights of Evgeni Nabokov. The good news is I will be caught up by the time the quarterfinals roll around.
Obviously I have not looked at ESPN commentator press releases yet, so I can't tell you who is announcing what other than Ian Darke is working the U.S. game on Saturday.
USA! USA! USA!
For those like seeing happy humans, here are tons of people worldwide watching and reacting as they watch Landon Donovan's game-winner against Algeria live.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
June 24 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
A few quick thoughts before I post the scenarios and the schedule.
Netherlands: Clinched
Japan: Win OR Draw
Denmark: Win
Cameroon: Eliminated
Clinching scenarios for Group F
Paraguay: Win/Draw OR Lose and Slovakia-Italy draw OR Lose and Slovakia win provided Paraguay maintains goal differential edge
Italy: Win OR Draw and Paraguay win OR Draw and Paraguay-New Zealand draw where Italy is ahead on goals scored OR Draw and Paraguay-New Zealand draw by the same score and Italy has the lucky lot drawn.
New Zealand: Win OR Draw and Italy-Paraguay draw and New Zealand scores more goals than Italy OR Draw and Italy-Paraguay draw by the same score and New Zealand has the lucky lot drawn.
Slovakia: Win and Paraguay win/draw OR Win and New Zealand win that sees Slovakia ahead in goal differential.
Group F: Slovakia vs. Italy 10:00 AM (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group F: Paraguay vs. New Zealand 10:00 AM (Polokwane) (ESPN2 - Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martinez)
Group E: Denmark vs. Japan 2:30 (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Group E: Cameroon vs. Netherlands 2:30 (Cape Town) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
- Cheering for a clutch player named Donovan is an odd sensation that I am enjoying for the first time in my life.
- Aspeaking of Eagles references, dear oh dear what ever happened to my Super Eagles of Nigeria? The fact that they only played 1 complete half of soccer in 3 games and yet still found themselves a couple of atrocious misses away from advancing out of a group with South Korea and Greece competing for the same position really speaks volumes to how wacky group play can be.
- I love Argentina. I loved them in 2006 and I love them again in 2010. Lionel Messi is absolutely amazing even if he is not scoring, and that whole team is an absolute blast to watch. Diego Maradona is awesomely entertaining and hilarious as a coach, and it appears as if he may be on to something with this team as well. Now how much of the decisions are Maradona's and how much he is just there as a figurehead coach, I cannot say for certain, but him and his team continue to entertain me beyond belief and if there is one team outside of the United States that I want to win the World Cup, it is Argentina.
- Now to Argentina's polar opposites: the French. Argentina are a team that play for each other and are successful, whereas French soccer is now beyond a complete disgrace. The F.F.F. can thank me for that compliment later.
Netherlands: Clinched
Japan: Win OR Draw
Denmark: Win
Cameroon: Eliminated
Clinching scenarios for Group F
Paraguay: Win/Draw OR Lose and Slovakia-Italy draw OR Lose and Slovakia win provided Paraguay maintains goal differential edge
Italy: Win OR Draw and Paraguay win OR Draw and Paraguay-New Zealand draw where Italy is ahead on goals scored OR Draw and Paraguay-New Zealand draw by the same score and Italy has the lucky lot drawn.
New Zealand: Win OR Draw and Italy-Paraguay draw and New Zealand scores more goals than Italy OR Draw and Italy-Paraguay draw by the same score and New Zealand has the lucky lot drawn.
Slovakia: Win and Paraguay win/draw OR Win and New Zealand win that sees Slovakia ahead in goal differential.
Group F: Slovakia vs. Italy 10:00 AM (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group F: Paraguay vs. New Zealand 10:00 AM (Polokwane) (ESPN2 - Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martinez)
Group E: Denmark vs. Japan 2:30 (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Group E: Cameroon vs. Netherlands 2:30 (Cape Town) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 23 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
Group C clinching scenarios
Slovenia: Win/Draw OR Loss and USA Draw OR Loss and Algeria win as long as Slovenia maintains edge in goal differential
USA: Win OR Draw and England lose OR Draw and Slovenia-England Draw if England does not outscore USA by 2+ goals
England: Win OR Draw and USA-Algeria Draw and England outscores the USA by 3 goals
Algeria: Win and England lose/Draw OR Win and Slovenia lose and make up goal differential.
Group D clinching scenarios
Ghana: Win/Draw OR Lose and Australia Win/Draw that leaves Ghana ahead in goal differential
Germany: Win OR Draw and Australia-Serbia draw OR Draw and Australia wins provided Germany still has goal differential edge.
Serbia: Win OR Draw and a Germany win that gives Serbia a goal differential edge OR Draw and Ghana win
Australia: Win and Ghana win OR Win and Germany win provided Australia is ahead of Ghana on goal differential OR (this forthcoming scenario is not a joke) beat Serbia by at least 8 goals and Germany-Ghana draw.
Group C: England vs. Slovenia 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN2 - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Group C: United States vs. Algeria 10:00 AM (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group D: Ghana vs. Germany 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group D: Australia vs. Serbia 2:30 (Nelspruit) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Slovenia: Win/Draw OR Loss and USA Draw OR Loss and Algeria win as long as Slovenia maintains edge in goal differential
USA: Win OR Draw and England lose OR Draw and Slovenia-England Draw if England does not outscore USA by 2+ goals
England: Win OR Draw and USA-Algeria Draw and England outscores the USA by 3 goals
Algeria: Win and England lose/Draw OR Win and Slovenia lose and make up goal differential.
Group D clinching scenarios
Ghana: Win/Draw OR Lose and Australia Win/Draw that leaves Ghana ahead in goal differential
Germany: Win OR Draw and Australia-Serbia draw OR Draw and Australia wins provided Germany still has goal differential edge.
Serbia: Win OR Draw and a Germany win that gives Serbia a goal differential edge OR Draw and Ghana win
Australia: Win and Ghana win OR Win and Germany win provided Australia is ahead of Ghana on goal differential OR (this forthcoming scenario is not a joke) beat Serbia by at least 8 goals and Germany-Ghana draw.
Group C: England vs. Slovenia 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN2 - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Group C: United States vs. Algeria 10:00 AM (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group D: Ghana vs. Germany 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group D: Australia vs. Serbia 2:30 (Nelspruit) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 22 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
Simplest clinching scenarios for Group A teams*.
Uruguay: Win/Tie
Mexico: Win/Tie
France: Win AND make up goal differential
South Africa: Win AND make up goal differential
Simplest clinching scenarios for Group B teams*.
Argentina: Win/Tie OR South Korea tie/lose
South Korea: Win AND Greece does not win by a greater margin
Greece: Earn more points than South Korea OR beat Argentina by 3+ goals
Nigeria: Win AND Argentina win
No team has mathematically clinched in either group and no team is mathematically eliminated either. Hopefully the soccer will be a bright spot in a day that sees me going to an Indians-Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park tonight. I can't wait to the Phillies Bullpen Of Suck live and in person!
Group A: Mexico vs. Uruguay 10:00 AM (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and John Harkes)
Group A: France vs. South Africa 10:00 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and Roberto Martinez)
Group B: Nigeria vs. South Korea 2:30 (Durban) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group B: Greece vs. Argentina 2:30 (Polokwane) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
* - These are merely the simplest clinching scenarios. I am not going to even try the longshot complex scenarios where you basically need a Sine graph to determine who advances.
Uruguay: Win/Tie
Mexico: Win/Tie
France: Win AND make up goal differential
South Africa: Win AND make up goal differential
Simplest clinching scenarios for Group B teams*.
Argentina: Win/Tie OR South Korea tie/lose
South Korea: Win AND Greece does not win by a greater margin
Greece: Earn more points than South Korea OR beat Argentina by 3+ goals
Nigeria: Win AND Argentina win
No team has mathematically clinched in either group and no team is mathematically eliminated either. Hopefully the soccer will be a bright spot in a day that sees me going to an Indians-Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park tonight. I can't wait to the Phillies Bullpen Of Suck live and in person!
Group A: Mexico vs. Uruguay 10:00 AM (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and John Harkes)
Group A: France vs. South Africa 10:00 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and Roberto Martinez)
Group B: Nigeria vs. South Korea 2:30 (Durban) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group B: Greece vs. Argentina 2:30 (Polokwane) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
* - These are merely the simplest clinching scenarios. I am not going to even try the longshot complex scenarios where you basically need a Sine graph to determine who advances.
ESPN World Cup Announcers Through The End Of Group Play
The Master Schedule has also been updated to reflect the changes.
June 22
Group A: Mexico vs. Uruguay 10:00 AM (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and John Harkes)
Group A: France vs. South Africa 10:00 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and Roberto Martinez)
Group B: Nigeria vs. South Korea 2:30 (Durban) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group B: Greece vs. Argentina 2:30 (Polokwane) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
June 23
Group C: England vs. Slovenia 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN2 - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Group C: United States vs. Algeria 10:00 AM (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group D: Ghana vs. Germany 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group D: Australia vs. Serbia 2:30 (Nelspruit) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
June 24
Group F: Slovakia vs. Italy 10:00 AM (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group F: Paraguay vs. New Zealand 10:00 AM (Polokwane) (ESPN2 - Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martinez)
Group E: Denmark vs. Japan 2:30 (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Group E: Cameroon vs. Netherlands 2:30 (Cape Town) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
June 25
Group G: North Korea vs. Ivory Coast 10:00 AM (Nelspruit) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Group G: Portugal vs. Brazil 10:00 AM (Durban) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and John Harkes)
Group H: Switzerland vs. Honduras 2:30 (Bloemfontein) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group H: Chile vs. Spain 2:30 (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku)
Once again, Martin Tyler is given the English game over the U.S. game, and once again, I am stoked that Ian Darke gets to call another United States match. Darke has been simply awesome in this tournament and the more I hear him, the more he pushes Gus Johnson off the list top of my list of my favorite announcers. Martin Tyler is a legend and will surely be the man calling the finals, but I will be slightly miffed if Ian Darke does not get to call a semifinals game and/or 3rd place game (and looking at the games he is being given, I think that is what ESPN has in mind).
No, that one time only of Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martinez is not a typo, but rather a 5th announce team used by ESPN, presumably to give Martin Tyler a day off in this crazy span. Roberto Martinez has been a very solid studio analyst for ESPN during the World Cup and while Jim Proudfoot has not, listening to him on this video has me excited to hear him.
June 22
Group A: Mexico vs. Uruguay 10:00 AM (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and John Harkes)
Group A: France vs. South Africa 10:00 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and Roberto Martinez)
Group B: Nigeria vs. South Korea 2:30 (Durban) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group B: Greece vs. Argentina 2:30 (Polokwane) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
June 23
Group C: England vs. Slovenia 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN2 - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Group C: United States vs. Algeria 10:00 AM (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group D: Ghana vs. Germany 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group D: Australia vs. Serbia 2:30 (Nelspruit) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
June 24
Group F: Slovakia vs. Italy 10:00 AM (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group F: Paraguay vs. New Zealand 10:00 AM (Polokwane) (ESPN2 - Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martinez)
Group E: Denmark vs. Japan 2:30 (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Group E: Cameroon vs. Netherlands 2:30 (Cape Town) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
June 25
Group G: North Korea vs. Ivory Coast 10:00 AM (Nelspruit) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist)
Group G: Portugal vs. Brazil 10:00 AM (Durban) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and John Harkes)
Group H: Switzerland vs. Honduras 2:30 (Bloemfontein) (ESPN2 - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group H: Chile vs. Spain 2:30 (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku)
Once again, Martin Tyler is given the English game over the U.S. game, and once again, I am stoked that Ian Darke gets to call another United States match. Darke has been simply awesome in this tournament and the more I hear him, the more he pushes Gus Johnson off the list top of my list of my favorite announcers. Martin Tyler is a legend and will surely be the man calling the finals, but I will be slightly miffed if Ian Darke does not get to call a semifinals game and/or 3rd place game (and looking at the games he is being given, I think that is what ESPN has in mind).
No, that one time only of Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martinez is not a typo, but rather a 5th announce team used by ESPN, presumably to give Martin Tyler a day off in this crazy span. Roberto Martinez has been a very solid studio analyst for ESPN during the World Cup and while Jim Proudfoot has not, listening to him on this video has me excited to hear him.
June 21 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
I am hopeful ESPN will have a press release out today regarding the announcer assignments for the final stage of group play. If not, you will have to be like me and wait and see. I am working all day today so if there is something released, I won't be around to see it right away, but when I get in, I will check and post them in the master schedule if they are indeed released.
Group G: Portugal vs. North Korea 7:30 AM (Cape Town) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Group H: Chile vs. Switzerland 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group H: Spain vs. Honduras 2:30 (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist)
Group G: Portugal vs. North Korea 7:30 AM (Cape Town) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Group H: Chile vs. Switzerland 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group H: Spain vs. Honduras 2:30 (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
June 20 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
Group F: Slovakia vs. Paraguay 7:30 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Group F: Italy vs. New Zealand 10:00 AM (Nelspruit) (ESPN - Ian Darke and Ally McCoist)
Group G: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Group F: Italy vs. New Zealand 10:00 AM (Nelspruit) (ESPN - Ian Darke and Ally McCoist)
Group G: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The "Foul" That Cost The U.S. The Win Against Slovenia
You can see Carlos Bocanegra on the left part of the picture ever so slightly putting his arm around Nejc Pečnik. Never mind that Michael Bradley was practically humped to the ground or the other far worse infringements committed by Slovenia on the controversial free kick by Landon Donovan. That is (surely) what referee Koman Coulibaly saw. The whistle was blown before Maurice Edu got his foot on the ball, and while you can't see Donovan in this shot, the contact here was either right before or immediately after Donovan struck the ball, thus giving the referee enough time before blowing the whistle. And if I am wrong and this is not what Coulibaly saw, then the call is far worse than it already is if this is what he saw.
I spotted this by pure luck, and now that I have spotted it, I really wish that I didn't. Terrible, terrible call by Coulibaly. And while the U.S. should be completely giddy that they got a draw after such a piss poor first half, hopefully this blown call that cost the U.S. a steal of a win does not comeback to haunt them later down the road.
Update: The Searching Cross hypothesizes an explanation for why Koman Coulibaly decided to blow the whistle so soon and call a foul. If this is true, then this referee really should never referee another soccer game anywhere again.
Most media sources have largely chalked this one up to gross incompetence, but some have started to realize that we've been robbed much worse than we knew. I noticed this via a revelatory tweet, as Twitter user paddytim wrote to WhitlockJason:Wow. Just wow. I hope that this theory is false, but everything he theorizes fits into what happened. And he is absolutely right about the Altidore foul. Just because a player exaggerates contact, does not mean the player was not fouled at all. Talk about a moment of officiating incompetence that makes Jim Joyce look like a saint.
"bs call was a make up call for a bad call on awarding free kick to US. Ref blew whistle before play even started. US guy dove"
Upon further review, this is exactly what Coulibaly was thinking. Here's how the play happened by his reasoning. (Click link for full video.) Jozy falls under contact to the neck from a Slovenian defender. Coulibaly blows his whistle for the free kick. He quickly doubts his decision, and this doubt is reinforced when he notices the linesman doesn't raise his flag. When the free-kick is struck, Coulibaly already has his whistle in his mouth and blows the play dead, without hesitation or any particular reaction to what's in front of him. In other words, he was resigned to whistling a makeup call from the moment he doubted his original call.
I barely even know where to begin with this logic. I guess let's start from the beginning: the play leading to the free kick was absolutely a foul. Jozy certainly embellished the contact, but it doesn't change the fact that the Slovenian defender put a hand to his neck. That's a foul and a free kick in any circumstance. It's comparable to Nigeria's red card against Greece: Torosidis rolled around like he was shot, but Kaita had still tried to spike a dude in the thigh. That's a red card no matter what, and a hand to Jozy's neck is a foul, no matter what.
Into the real issue: the make-up call. Let's even put aside that make-up calls are explicitly outlawed by FIFA. Simply put, it is still an unacceptable justification. Think about it, where does that thinking lead to? If he thinks he mistakenly awarded a penalty, does he give another one later? (What if that guy misses, how do those mistakes cancel out?) If he didn't realize he was giving a second yellow to a player, does he send off someone from the other team? A referee should never play karma by retrospectively evening out his own mistakes, because these decisions have ripple effects.
(Hat tip to kt1000 for sending me the link to this karma theory)
June 19 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
Group E: Netherlands vs. Japan 7:30 AM (Durban) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group D: Ghana vs. Australia 10:00 AM (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Group E: Cameroon vs. Denmark 2:30 (Pretoria) (ABC - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku)
Group D: Ghana vs. Australia 10:00 AM (Rustenburg) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Group E: Cameroon vs. Denmark 2:30 (Pretoria) (ABC - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku)
Friday, June 18, 2010
June 18 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
Still behind. Bleh. I forgot about Father's Day....until earlier on Wednesday. Shopping for books I know nothing about is much harder than it sounds.
Group D: Germany vs. Serbia 7:30 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group C: Slovenia vs. United States 10:00 AM (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group C: England vs. Algeria 2:30 (Cape Town) (ESPN2 - Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist)
Group D: Germany vs. Serbia 7:30 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group C: Slovenia vs. United States 10:00 AM (Johannesburg EPS) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group C: England vs. Algeria 2:30 (Cape Town) (ESPN2 - Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 17 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
As I prepare this, I have just finished watching the goalless draw of the Ivory Coast-Portugal game (yes, I am watching the games in order). That's the bad news. The good news is I have no more commitments this week and will likely be caught up by some time Thursday night.
Up to the point I am at, my thoughts on the World Cup are this. I expected a the teams to come out cagey, tense, and defensive in their opening matches, but this is bordering on ridiculous. The closeness of the games have provided for some dramatic finishes, but it would certainly be nice to see teams to play at least one back and forth entertaining with more than 2 goals.
As far as ESPN's coverage goes, overall I have been very pleased, both with the in-game commentary and the studio shows. Even Alexi Lalas has been tolerable (well, tolerable for him anyway). The only thing nagging me at this point (and I am typing this having not seen every match) is for some reason ESPN feeling the need to have a graphic of what team is in what jersey at every waking moment of the match. I am hoping that it is only some odd glitch that will eventually be fixed, but it is certainly unnecessary and even bordering on a tad annoying. On the positive side, let it be known that Ian Darke is quickly becoming one of my favorite announcers there is. Excitable, honest, passionate, knowledgeable, witty, etc. The guy is just the complete package in the booth.
Here's the schedule for Thursday and I will talk to you all later!
Group B: Argentina vs. South Korea 7:30 AM (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group B: Greece vs. Nigeria 10:00 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group A: France vs. Mexico 2:30 (Polokwane) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Efan Ekoku)
Up to the point I am at, my thoughts on the World Cup are this. I expected a the teams to come out cagey, tense, and defensive in their opening matches, but this is bordering on ridiculous. The closeness of the games have provided for some dramatic finishes, but it would certainly be nice to see teams to play at least one back and forth entertaining with more than 2 goals.
As far as ESPN's coverage goes, overall I have been very pleased, both with the in-game commentary and the studio shows. Even Alexi Lalas has been tolerable (well, tolerable for him anyway). The only thing nagging me at this point (and I am typing this having not seen every match) is for some reason ESPN feeling the need to have a graphic of what team is in what jersey at every waking moment of the match. I am hoping that it is only some odd glitch that will eventually be fixed, but it is certainly unnecessary and even bordering on a tad annoying. On the positive side, let it be known that Ian Darke is quickly becoming one of my favorite announcers there is. Excitable, honest, passionate, knowledgeable, witty, etc. The guy is just the complete package in the booth.
Here's the schedule for Thursday and I will talk to you all later!
Group B: Argentina vs. South Korea 7:30 AM (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)
Group B: Greece vs. Nigeria 10:00 AM (Bloemfontein) (ESPN - Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe)
Group A: France vs. Mexico 2:30 (Polokwane) (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Efan Ekoku)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Will The Vuvuzelas Be Silenced?
For those living under a rock (or just not been watching the World Cup at all), the vuvuzelas are the plastic horns that have been played by the crowd in the World Cup, and when played in unison create a loud buzzing sound. And they have indeed succeed in creating quite the buzz early on in this World Cup. So much so that many are calling for them to be banned from the World Cup, and World Cup organizers have been entertaining the idea. From ESPN.com
That's not to say I don't have a problem with the vuvuzelas, because I do. Their main purpose is to support South Africa's Bafana Bafana by creating a loud buzzing sound designed to resemble Bafana Bafana's buzzing around the soccer ball. This works because the Bafana Bafana wear yellow jerseys, thus, they really are like bees. That being said, what on earth is their purpose in soccer games not involving Bafana Bafana? In no way, shape, or form do vuvuzelas in anyway add to the atmosphere of a soccer match between U.S.A. and England. I want to hear the chants of the American and English crowd, and the overwhelming sound of the vuvuzelas prevent this. And that does not even begin to touch what it does to some of the South American crowds who come up with some of the most liveliest chants in soccer, rendered now completely inaudible on TV thanks to the vuvuzela. They drown out all noises in the crowd. If FIFA were smart and sensitive to everyone, they would have allowed the vuvuzelas only in games featuring Bafana Bafana. But that solution was too easy that no one thought of it. And now they have become the "soundtrack of the 2010 World Cup" and are waking the entire country up at 6 AM.
And if FIFA want to keep their heads physically attached to their shoulders, they need to keep it that way.
South Africa's World Cup organizing chief Danny Jordaan said Sunday there is a chance vuvuzelas may be banned from inside stadiums after numerous complaints, BBC News has reported.It is quite obvious that the vuvuzelas have become an integral part of South African soccer and should be recognized as such. It is true that FIFA has a problem on their hands right now, and one that should have been prevented. We all got a taste of the vuvuzelas during the 2009 Confederations Cup, and after several complaints from players and broadcasters, FIFA were supposed to take serious consideration to banning them for the World Cup. FIFA did not learn their lesson and now they have millions upon millions of vuvuzelas out and about in South Africa annoying some people who prefer to not have to hear bee sounds 24 hours a day for a whole month. That being said, a ban on them now would be the most futile ban on something since Prohibition.
Asked whether he'd consider getting rid of the trumpets, he said: "If there are grounds to do so, yes. We did say that if any land on the pitch in anger we will take action."
France captain Patrice Evra has already blamed the noise generated by the vuvuzelas for his team's poor showing in its opening 0-0 draw with Uruguay.
"We can't sleep at night because of the vuvuzelas," Evra said. "People start playing them from 6 a.m. We can't hear one another out on the pitch because of them."
Jordaan said organizers are doing everything possible.
"We've tried to get some order," Jordaan said. "We have asked for no vuvuzelas during national anthems or stadium announcements. It's difficult, but we're trying to manage the best we can."
"I would prefer singing," he said.
The first-round contests introduced most of the world to the vuvuzela, a plastic trumpet carried into the matches and blown on incessantly by thousands of fans. On television, it sounds as if the game is being played before a nest of angry bees.
It's louder at the games than it is on the telecast. ESPN is altering the sound mix on its broadcasts to minimize the crowd noise, network spokesman Bill Hofheimer said. The network has accepted it as part of the atmosphere and has made no complaints about the vuvuzelas, he said.
The sound is driving others crazy, though.
"The constant drone of cheap and tuneless plastic horns is killing the atmosphere of the World Cup," wrote John Leicester, an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. He wrote that it is drowning out the oohs, aahs and cheers that lend excitement to the matches.
Plainly, many of the fans take pride in the tradition.
A website informing visitors about South Africa, www.safrica.info, describes the vuvuzelas as "a beautiful noise for the beautiful game."
That's not to say I don't have a problem with the vuvuzelas, because I do. Their main purpose is to support South Africa's Bafana Bafana by creating a loud buzzing sound designed to resemble Bafana Bafana's buzzing around the soccer ball. This works because the Bafana Bafana wear yellow jerseys, thus, they really are like bees. That being said, what on earth is their purpose in soccer games not involving Bafana Bafana? In no way, shape, or form do vuvuzelas in anyway add to the atmosphere of a soccer match between U.S.A. and England. I want to hear the chants of the American and English crowd, and the overwhelming sound of the vuvuzelas prevent this. And that does not even begin to touch what it does to some of the South American crowds who come up with some of the most liveliest chants in soccer, rendered now completely inaudible on TV thanks to the vuvuzela. They drown out all noises in the crowd. If FIFA were smart and sensitive to everyone, they would have allowed the vuvuzelas only in games featuring Bafana Bafana. But that solution was too easy that no one thought of it. And now they have become the "soundtrack of the 2010 World Cup" and are waking the entire country up at 6 AM.
And if FIFA want to keep their heads physically attached to their shoulders, they need to keep it that way.
June 13 FIFA World Cup Open Thread
Group C: Algeria vs. Slovenia 7:30 AM (Polokwane) (ESPN - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Group D: Serbia vs. Ghana 10:00 AM (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku)
Group D: Germany vs. Australia 2:30 (Durban) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist)
Group D: Serbia vs. Ghana 10:00 AM (Pretoria) (ESPN - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku)
Group D: Germany vs. Australia 2:30 (Durban) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist)
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