Wow, I cannot express how satisfying it was to have my first dose of EPL and a 5-1 cracker of a game! Well, with the good, comes the bad too, nag nag nag... lazy Mondays... anyway its all worth it.
After some 6 weeks of hibernation, life is about to get back some sense of normalcy. The soccer season is about to start! And I am picking hairs again, as my favourite club failed to land some credible names for this coming season.. :(
Anyway, soccer aside, life has been hectic, and seemingly void of topics to write here. Except the pain of the passing of a friend of mine to lung cancer recently. His fight has been pretty well documented in his blog and though his words give such vivid description about his struggle but pales in comparison with the actual situation he is in. Above all I do salute his resolve and strength in facing death over the last 6 months. Rest well my friend.
After a month of great action, the curtains come down with perhaps the most intriguing finals in recent times.
ITALY v FRANCE
Italy has always been the team that rises during the knockout stages and they did just that, reminiscent of the days of Rossi 84. This time round, they are playing exceptional football under Marcelo Lippi. With the talent going forward he is not afraid of using them, unlike the Frenchies. At the end of this world cup, a new name will emerge FABIO GROSSO! He has arrived! Italy is famous for bringing on names to this stage, Baggio, Schilacci, Vieri and now Grosso.
France, Take Zidane out of the team, they are below ordinary. But they came through with luck and determination, but lets see how Thuram and co will cope with Toni, Totti, Del Piero, Iaquinta, Gilardino and Inzaghi. While Cannavaro and co will need to cope with Zidane, Henry, Trezeguet, and yeah..the forgettable Wiltord.
Could be the alternate final for the WC2006 but, Germany was truly outplayed by Italy couple of days back. I feel they would play all out in front of their home crowd for one last hurrah. But watch this German side in EURO2008. Great young team and thanks to Klinsi for dumping most of their failed old guards. He has blended the youth with good experience of Frings, Snieder, Ballack, Neuville and Lehmann. Interesting team for the future in Podolski, Sweinsteiger, Lahm, Metzelder, Odonkor. Same goes to Porty side, but, I think for Portugal to emerge truly great they need to eliminate gamesmanship from their game. But beneath that they have great youth and exuberance in Ronaldo, Constinha, Miera, Miguel and the rest.
Would love to see the Germans stop bleeding. They deserve 3rd spot for their grit and style. Portugal though deserving of 3rd spot too but their gamesmanship leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
Azzuris did great last night. Glad they won with true determination and style and right down to Lippi's tactics of refusing to play the Italian way. Nice to see him putting in Iaquinta, Gilardino and Del Piero in as substitutes and make Italy more mobile up in attack. I hope Italy win the Cup.
Tonight, arrgh.. I hate them Frenchies but I guess they hold the upper hand. Kiasu buggers only willing to play 1 striker up when they have a wealth of striking options. Deep down I hope Portugal beat the daylight out of the old men of France.
My favoured teams are left stranded by the wayside, but, the way they played its no wonder they are left by the wayside. Pekerman, Pareira tried to be more conservative in the quarterfinals and they paid the price for it. But wait, the semis may proved intriguing indeed:
Germany v Italy
What a match this will be. Traditionally conservative team, Germany with young and gung ho attacking talent in Podolski and Klose together with Ballack and Schweinsteiger is exciting enough while Italy struggled through group to see Luca Toni and Totti coming into rich vein of form. Winner of this match would probably be the World Cup Winner.
Portugal v France
France was never a team I favour. I still dont. They have talent but I dont like to see grandfathers lifting the world cup. Portugal could be interesting if only Pauleta show some promise.
Initially I thought I would hibernate a month for this HOLY MONTH, then again.... Well, so far I guess the favourites have been performing. And while I keep my focus on World Cup, my other stuff are accumulating.... hmm... besides work.. my tadpoles are filled to the brim.. hmm.. then again.. that is another topic for another day.
With the rout on the bookies set to continue until the knockout stages, this is my prayer for this world cup. May the best team win.. my take after seeing the performances? Italy, Netherlands, Argentina, Spain. Then again, the knockout stages is a different ball game altogether.
The event is here at last after all the months of advertising blitz. Hmm.. adex will definitely rise, so those flers in advertising should be looking forward to huge bonusses this year unless their bosses squander those hard earned ad money of "other stuff".
For one month we get to see 22 people chasing after a ball almost non stop everyday. And at the end heroes will be made, kings will be crowned. The vanquished will slip into oblivion. That is how important this holy grail is to the world of Football.
For some reaching Germany is already their holy grail but to some getting their hands on the cup will be the ultimate boast one can have. So for 30 days and 30 nights, we will feast on the extravaganza, Lets hope the BEST TEAM WINS.
Few things to check, that I do not run out of six packs at home. That I have enough reasons to take a number of days off work <grin>. This is the month that all things work comes to a grinding HALT! All in the name of the Beautiful Game.
Horror of horrors last nite, seeing my favourite team Oranj gets physically abuse by the Aussies, wondering if those flers think its a rugby match or wat... Anyway, I hope this will be the best cup ever with a huge number of emerging teams with great youngsters. What are your picks? Mine seems to be Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, England and Italy. Outsiders that can cause a hiccup or two... Serbia? Portugal? Ivory Coast? Asian teams can book their respective flights back home early this time round.
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Monday, August 21, 2006