Soccer/Futbol
The Isles of Scilly - Addidas Football
This is Part 1 of a 4 part series for Adidas "Big Dream" made by 180 Amsterdam
found via CreativeReview
The Four...
So the semifinalists for the 2006 FIFA World Cup have just been decided. They are: Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Bra...er...France (sorry I had written this article last night). I guess it's true that 'only Europeans win in Europe'. Actually, the only team to ever win a World Cup in Europe that wasn't a European team was precisely Brazil...once. Anyways, the matches will be this week, Germany vs. Italy and Portugal vs. France; all leading up to the final to decide who the winner will be. Keep this on the DL, but I already know who it is...but, I'm not allowed to say so you'll just have to see for yourself. As for the most noteworthy quarterfinal team that won't be in the semifinals...I'm gonna have to go out on a limb here and pick...ARGENTINA!!!
U.S. Soccer WORLD CUP
Well, we did it. We pulled out a tie against the mighty Italian squad on Saturday, 1-1. Now we will be playing Ghana on the 22nd and we need to pull out a win. In order to advance we need to beat Ghana, and Italy must beat Czech Republic. If Italy ties with Czech Rep, we must win by over two goals. Right now the point standings are Italy 4, Czech 3, Ghana 3, and USA 1. But we still have a chance. Make sure you watch on Thursday! USA 9:30am!
ITALY 1
This Article is Not About the World Cup
I know what you are all thinking. Here comes VL, hasn’t written anything in a while, and is hoping to make up for it with another mediocre article on some World Cup Team that nobody really cares about (which seems to be every team except for Brazil, for most people). Well, I think it’s time to leave aside the imminent World Cup for a while and talk about other, more pressing issues……Like the Champions League…
Yes indeed, tomorrow is the Champions League Final in Paris. For those of you unfamiliar with this tournament; it is pretty much the most important competition in European club soccer, where the best club teams from each country compete to be European Champions in a league-like-thing. Hence Champions League. Last years champion was Liverpool, the greatest club team in the history of the universe. This year we won’t see the reds in the final, but the match will nonetheless be one of the most exciting soccer matches this year. The contenders are none other than London’s Arsenal and Barcelona’s Barcelona.
The game will be interesting not only because these are two powerhouses of European soccer, but because this year their strengths have been placed in different areas. Barcelona has one of the best offenses, with 22 goals in 12 games; while Arsenal has had the best defense, having been scored upon just twice. Not only this, but Barcelona may have their talented Argentinean striker, Lionel Messi, back from his injury. Norwegian Terje Hauge is the match referee, and the stage is set with fans from both sides arriving on the French capital. With the honor and prestige that the League trophy brings to those who bear it (not to mention the significant cash prices) it is no doubt that tomorrow will be an exciting day indeed. My prediction? Barcelona takes it.
Oh, the Glorious Yellow-Green.
So here it is everyone, the wildly acclaimed article about the most powerful example of dynasty found in any sport other than the Yankees dynasty that exists in baseball. Having won the most titles so far, 5 total, the "verde-amarella" is once again a favorite (in my opinion, the only one) to win this year's World Cup in Germany.
Brazil has been known as the number one source of ridiculous futbol (soccer) players, most of which end up playing in upscale European leagues - such as the Premier League, el Calcio Italiano, and La Ligua Espanola - and many of which become legends of the game. They are known for their passionate love toward the game and their connection with la numero 5 (the soccer ball) that creates a sort of magic every time they step on the field. I mean, all one has to do is go down the list of geniuses who have worn the verde-amarella to realize what I am talking about: Garrincha, Pele, Carlos Alberto, Mauro, Vava, Romario, Bebeto, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Dunga, Roberto Carlos.....etc, etc, etc.
This year is no exception. With many new, younger faces that have joined the team since last World Cup, the Brazilian national team has become significantly faster and much more creative. Led by Ronaldinho - considered by his majesty, Pele, to be as good, if not better, than Diego Armando Maradona - the 2006 Brazilian team consists of an all-star lineup: Goalkeeper Dida (AC MILAN); defender Cafu (ROMA), Lucio, Ze Roberto (BAYERN MUNCHEN), Emerson (JUVENTUS), and Roberto Carlos (REAL MADRID); midfielder Kaka (AC MILAN), Roque Junior (BAYERN LEVERKUSEN), Ronaldo (REAL MADRID), Juninho Pernambucano, Alex, and Robinho (REAL MADRID) - also considered by Pele as being the only player capable of surpassing his legacy.
With a line up like this, it'd be ludicrous to consider anyone else - with the exception of maybe Argentina, who tied with Brazil during the South America Qualifiers - as a true contender. Allow me to elaborate on this: Italy and England have lacked of consistency the past few World Cups, not making the final four since 1994 for Italy (I think we all remember Baggio's PK) and 1990 for England. Germany, on the other hand - the crowd will indeed play a huge factor on their performance - does not have enough talent or experience in their squad to match against Brazil. I mean, Germany is not even top 20 in the FIFA ranking! A similar statement could be said about Argentina, which, although having an amazing talented group of individuals, has proven time after time to disappoint at the last minute because of the lack of experience. Argentina has also failed to make the final four bracket since last time Maradona played a full World Cup Tournament on 1990 (he was not allowed to finish the 1994 World Cup as a result of illegal substances).
There are a few sleepers Brazil might have a tough time with throughout the tournament. Croatia and Australia might give Brazil a difficult time during the first round of the Cup but not enough, in my opinion, to have anyone worry about Brazil not making it to the tournament part of the World Cup. Other teams to look for are Cote d'Ivoire, Netherlands, Portugal, Ghana, Spain, and France. Unfortunately for these teams, this year just isn't their time to win it.
What I am looking forward the most in this year's World Cup is not seeing Brazil win for a sixth time - I just think they are the best team this year - but rather, I am looking forward to seeing how certain players perform, such as Messi, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Rooney, Totti, and Shevchenko. Also, it would make my year if Ecuador made it to the second round, although we have found ourselves in the same group as Germany and Poland, two extremely good squads. Either way, the following 80 days will be long ones, because, as any other true fan of the sport, I can't fuck*ng wait until to record every single minute of this year's World Cup. (And to receive $5 from Victor).
Spain: The Yet-to-Win Wonder
Spain, and I know this will come as a shock to a lot of you, has yet to win a World Cup. It’s a little hard to believe that a country with such an outstanding history in football (soccer) has been unable to clinch the title. They had a good team and a good chance in 2002. Unfortunately, that pesky little splinter kept getting in referee Gamal Ghandour’s eye every time the Spanish Team scored a legitimate goal, and just to be on the safe side, he annulled each one of them.
This year, although their qualifying campaign was not spectacular (they had a hard time in the European Region), they are going to the World Cup with great expectations. In a recent friendly game against Cote d’Ivoire, the best African nation in the World Cup, Spain won three goals to two. This is what I expect to see throughout the World Cup. Don’t hope to see Spain pummel their opponents six-null, but do expect wins from the Castilians. They have a relatively easy group to begin with (Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia are their opponents), and they have a pretty good team as usual. Xabi is a great player (this from a Liverpool fan), as is goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Morientes is back, and expect to see Fernando Torres doing some great things out on the field. Puyol, Salgado, and others will help make this team a force to be reckoned.
I still want Argentina to win (and seriously respect anyone who differs), but if the ‘albicelestes’ are unable to clinch it, I wouldn’t mind seeing Spain hold the cup. Not only because they have never won, but because they are part of my European heritage. If not, I’ll have to settle for the East-Coast Africans or the Taino Indian Team to bring home the gold.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/index.html
What about the Other Guys, Ay?
So many people are excited about the ever-approaching World Cup. When I talk to friends (the ones who like soccer), they go into a frenzy about 'Argentina this', 'Brazil that', 'Italy whatever.' I am no true fan, but more of a mild appreciator of the game- I like to watch sometimes, but I know nothing of stats or what Ronaldhino ate for breakfast the day of a game. I always hear the big names come up in conversations- France, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, etc. No one seems to care about the little guys though- the ones who's lesser abilities will make it possible for a a team to hold up the cup and gain the world's respect; the unsung heroes. What about the teams who didn't even qualify for the tournament?!
Recently, CR was fortunate enough to talk with the Canadian National Team's and the Montreal Impact's(CNSL) very own, goalie
Andrew Olivieri.
CR: So Andrew, how are you doing? Or should I say 'how are you doing, ay?'
AO: Haha. That's just a stereotype. Although a lot of Canadians do talk like that- but whatever, I'm doing fine.
CR: Now that Canada didn't qualify in Mexico for the Worl d Cup, you must have a lot of time on your hands. What have you been
doing lately?
AO: Well, it's like with all this new time and freedom, it's funny because I just don't know what to really do. I plan on catching up
on shows I tivoed when I was playing soccer.
CR: What shows?
AO: I like Curb, 24, and a show we have in Canada called Cheeky Monkey and Friends.
CR: Sounds interesting. Any other plans?
AO: I also plan to wirte a short novel about a sushi chef who falls in love with a mermaid but struggles with the fact that she is
half-a-fish. I want to wash my car eventually too.
CR: Wow, sounds like you're busy. Do you plan on watching the tournament?
AO: Maybe. I'll watch the big games definitely.
Canadian Soccer
