Shame on me for missing the great headline at the right a couple days back. Better late than never, right?
Speaking of "better late than never," Spain finally showed the form everybody had just begun to think had disappeared during their Euro 2008 win yesterday against Germany, a 1-0 semi-final win for the Spaniards that assures Sunday that they or Holland will become a first time World Cup Champion. Back was the creative and urgent side that chased relentlessly when without the ball, forcing Germany into a lot more mistakes than we're used to seeing of the Germans. Germany looked strangely flat aside from Mesut Ozil, who was fantastic. No matter what happens Sunday, you have to assume Germany enter Euro 2010 as the favorites to win.
It is a good thing that Chris Bosh has dropped the "I want to be the man" act. I really don't think he could lead Lindsay Lohan to a bottle of booze or pills with a GPS.
LeBron James is expected to end the ridiculous torture today and announce his decision at 9pm tonight on ESPN in the U.S., and The Score in Canada. Some indications that New York may be back in play, though possibly not, says ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd who brought the "Delonte West tapped 'bron's mom" story (hear it at the end of today's entry), while others think Miami is the spot. And the most accurate story in my estimation comes in this piece from Deadspin under the somewhat cryptic title: LeBron James is a Cocksucker. Great read. Love Jason Whitlock glossing him "LeBrett James". Nice. Prediction: that Delonte West story gets run tomorrow, in full, at the latest.
And speaking of sucking cock, how about porn star Bobbi Eden, who has vowed that if Holland win the World Cup, her and a couple of colleagues will blow the crotch vuvuzelas of all 65,000 - and climbing - of her Twitter followers.
Make that 10 straight winners for yours truly, albeit picking straight up advancers. Holland and Uruguay each traded long range goals in the first half before the Dutch scored a pair in short order with 20 minutes to go or so and make it 3-1. Cruise to the win? Not on your life. Uruguay came back and scored a beauty off a set piece and there were more than a few anxious moments for Oranje as the clock wound down in a fantastic game that finished 3-2. Come to find out that is the first time in decades that a semi-final winner has scored three, so great to see an open game like that. Today's has the potential to be as entertaining. No need to get into the breakdown of it, as that was covered on Monday, but Germany is the pick as we shoot for 35-27 to set up a border war for Sunday's final. If you've not heard about the psychic German octopus, which has been tremendously successful picking Germany's results, it took Spain to win today. But, it picked Germany in the 2008 Euro Final to beat Spain and that went the other way, so maybe it comes back today?
Dave Hirshey at ESPN.compicks his starting 11 for the World Cup. That's the all-stars, for those needing it dumbed down. Tough to argue against any of these, especially the midfield, though Landon Donovan and Andres Iniesta deserve honorable mention.
A fan at The Ballpark in Arlington fell from the second deck last night, his fall broken by fans. Imagine how different things would've finished had the game in Toronto? The guy would have been a bloody stain on a sea of empty blue seats.
ESPN's Chris Jones took a dig at Paraguay in a World Cup column and received more than a little hate mail in response. Check out some of his replies to those messages. Love the one in which he responds to one diatribe that pieces like his lead people to believe that Americans are smug and arrogant with this gem: "As a Canadian, I'm glad to have furthered the stereotype that Americans are smug and ignorant, which of course they are." Great stuff.
Each of the last six years, the first MLB team to win 50 games has made the playoffs. First to reach 50 this year? Some team from The Bronx, New York.
New Jersey Nets owner Mikhael Prokorov says that Chris Bosh will join Dwayne Wade in Miami. He's sounding pretty prophetic at the moment, as that's what appears to be happening. LeBron James will take to ESPN tomorrow night at 9pm to announce his decision. I hope they all have horrible careers going forward. Love James referring to himself as "King" on his new, and sure-to-be-dull Twitter feed. Don't recall Michael Jordan ever referring to himself as "Air".
A BlackBerry opened to the wrong day on the calendar can lead to thinking today's World Cup semi-final is Germany facing Spain, when it is in fact Holland taking on Uruguay. That transgression aside, thinking this game screams Holland win. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder have proven big forces in attack for the Dutch, who traditionally enter a major tourney a house on fire and a stylistic favorite. This one has been a bit slower to build, but that has translated to a deep run and they've got everyone's attention after a big win over Brazil in the quarters on Friday. Uruguay, as mentioned yesterday, rode a lucky break in the dying moments to a penalty kick win over Paraguay, and of course will be minus Luis Suarez for that huge save, though Diego Forlan has been dynamite as far as I'm concerned and will pose plenty of concern for the Dutch defence. In the end, I think the Dutch can smell the final on Sunday and a shot at a long overdue World Cup, and I'm saying they emerge 2-0 winners, giving them a World Cup record six wins in a tournament. Uruguay are winless in 13 matches against European teams. So once again, Holland is the pick as yours truly aims for ten straight winners and 34-27 overall.
So this baseball All-Star Game that "counts" is allowing players to re-enter the game after they leave? The joke gets bigger.
Finally a big name in the NBA moved in free agency, with Amare Stoudamire jumping to the New York Knicks. He knows that Steve Nash just lives in New York and doesn't play there, right? LeBron James is expected to make his announcement tomorrow. Would it surprise anybody that with that bit of information out if the OHB tries to scoop the spotlight and announces his "comeback" too?
An unprecedented break of four days for yours truly has me wondering where to even begin today so this could be more scatter-shot than usual. Here we go.
So much for the South American domination and European stagnation at the World Cup this year. Argentina? Gone. Crushed by Germany 4-0. Brazil? Barely showed up in a 2-1 loss to Holland, who should have had at least a couple more in that one. Paraguay fought hard but were 1-0 losers to Spain, but at least there was Uruguay, who somehow managed a win in penalties after looking like they were surely losers in extra time when Luis Suarez saved a ball on the goalline in the dying seconds to earn himself a red card because, well, he's not a goalie. And Ghana looked that gift horse in the mouth and whacked the ensuing penalty kick off the bar. Ouch. All four winners were selected here.
As for the semi-finals, tough sledding in tomorrow's Germany vs. Spain semi-final. Germany has been firing on all cylinders the last two games, but it is hard to imagine they find another gear. That, and they're minus Tomas Mueller due to suspension. Still think their goalie is weak, the weakest of the remaining, and that could well come into play. For all the talk of how Spain has been something less than their Euro 2008 winning form, they've still won their last five. Fernando Torres may not be on top of his game, but David Villa has more than made up for it. That, and unlike England and Argentina, Spain actually have some speed on the back side to go with experience, and the better keeper in Iker Casillas, arguably the best in the game. Who wins? Instinct says Spain, but going to pick Germany. Wednesday's pick comes tomorrow.
Brock Lesnar survived a first round onslaught by Shane Carwin and shocked the MMA world with a submission win in round two at UFC 116, shocking because nobody would've figured on Lesnar to win by submission. Sounds like his next fight will be Cain Velaszquez. Next in line are said to be the winner of a Junior Dos Santos and Roy "Big Country" Nelson.
Word is Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who stars for Real Madrid, has fathered a child who was U.S. born. Might we see the Ronaldo child suit up for the U.S. in 2034? Would put an end to the U.S. rep as non-divers, no?
Found out - and not sure how I didn't know it before - that the LA Lakers count the four championships won when the franchise was in Minnesota among their 16 victories. Seems a touch lame, no?
The MLB all-stars were announced and somehow, Joey Votto didn't make the National League side despite a stack of strong stats and MVP consideration in many circles. San Diego Padre Mat Latos, who has pitched so well opponents are batting under .200 against him, didn't make the grade either. Jered Weaver didn't make the American League team, nor did Andy Pettitte. Ridiculous. Sounds like Pettitte will end up in the game regardless to replace CC Sabathia, who starts Sunday and is thus ineligible.
Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams won their Wimbledon finals. Neither win will be considered among the classic finals.
Finally today, check out the Spanish announce table at Spain's 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday. They're keeping it real professional and not cheering. The Chicago White Sox crew, Buck Martinez and Chuck Swirsky think these guys are over the top.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
RM returns Monday. Picking Germany and Spain today.
Friday, July 2, 2010
No RM today as Canada Day festivities hang over the proceedings. Picks today: Holland and Uruguay. Yes, I said "Holland". Love me some Oranje!
After 23 straight semi-final appearances in Grand Slam's, Roger Federer has now failed to make the semi's in two straight after yesterday's loss at Wimbledon, a place he practically owns.
Sounds like Chelsea have had enough of John Terry and will look to move him, as owner Roman Abramovich "has grown rather tired of JT's bloated sense of self-importance, and curious habit of sticking his nose into other people's business," not to mention sticking other part's into teammate's ex-girlfriends.
The Quarter Final matchups are all set for the World Cup, and in Holland/Brazil and Germany/Argentina, you've got two that are finals worthy. Shame two of those teams are going to go out. The other match-ups will see Spain, who dominated Portugal yesterday everywhere but the scoreline, face Paraguay, and Uruguay face Ghana. The downside to all this? No games today and tomorrow. The upside? Let's us all celebrate Portugal's demise free of distraction.
How is this for the first half of July: the final stages of the World Cup, Wimbledon finale, a huge UFC Heavyweight fight, and NBA and NHL free agency begins?
Okay Cliff Lee, three complete games in a row and the latest at Yankee Stadium is advertising enough that you are raising your hand for free agency. Looking forward to seeing you in pinstripes, and if not for the fact my fantasy franchise got back CC Sabathia for you last year, I might regret dealing you.
Wow, soccer truly hit the bigtime in the U.S. over the World Cup as a Texas man has been charged with murder after killing his 2-year old who wouldn't stop crying during the U.S.-Ghana game. As the old saying goes, it's not life or death, it is far more important than that.
Finally today, the Globe and Mail says that the German goalie is a cheat for not signaling that the goal on Sunday against England was in fact good. As if that would ever happen. I get the myopic intent of the message here about sportsmanship and all, but I'll blame the German goalie for not signaling a goal right after all sports are cleaned up of all fouls and referees are made unnecessary.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
It is a real shame that one of Brazil and Holland - arguably with Argentina the most impressive sides at World Cup 2010 - will be going home Friday morning as their quarter final dance is set after 3-0 and 2-1 wins, respectively, yesterday. Up today are Paraguay facing Japan at 10am (Eastern) and a tantalizing Spain vs. Portugal game at 2:30. I've got Paraguay and Spain both victorious here.
Aaron Hill and Adam Lind, two of the Toronto Blue Jays more reputable hitters, aren't batting their weight this year, in case you didn't know.
The American League beat the National in Interleague play 134-118 to run their overall record in Interleague to 1808-1652. The AL has won the season series every year since 2003.
Damien Cox at the Toronto Starlooks at the reaction in England to the curbstomping they took from Germany and says never again will he think Canada's reaction to a hockey loss is intense. One great quote in an English paper said that if the British military had defended the country in similar fashion to John Terry et al, "we'd all be speaking German right now". Ouch.
Expect UFC boss Dana White to be at the top of his game this week ahead of UFC 116 now that the one heavyweight he doesn't have that is viewed as tops - Fedor Emelianenko - lost in a little over a minute Saturday in a Strike Force fight. The main event at UFC 116 is Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar facing Shane Carwin in what should be a dynamite fight of two powerhouses.
Oh, FIFA, silly you for not taking any number of opportunities in the past to learn from your mistakes and figure that in this day and age, using video replay isn't only a smart thing to do, it is the right thing to do. Two goals yesterday were scored - one in each Round of 16 game - that altered momentum and left the games looking like something less than legitimate. Even if they only did the chip in the ball thing that would send a signal when the ball crossed the line - technology that already exists - they'd be at least half extricated from the mess they found themselves in yesterday. FIFA's response to yesterday's debacle is to stop showing video replies in stadium. Very evolved. As I said last week, shoddy officiating is the story of the tournament right now. The one I'm surprised people aren't discussing is the poor shape of the field's they're playing on. The field this morning came apart far too easily. Somebody will get hurt. Oh, Germany beat England 4-1 and Argentina beat Mexico 3-1 to set up a juicy matchup Saturday. Cheer up, England fan, as you still have this.
In a round of 16 game this morning, Holland downed Slovakia on the strength of a beauty goal from Arjen Robben and another from Wesley Sneijder. Slovakia scored a last second PK to make the blow a bit softer. Holland will face the winner of Brazil and Chile, who kick off at 2:30pm (Eastern).
German publication Der Spiegel has broken a story that implicates a high ranking UEFA - Europe's governing body for soccer - in match fixing. French language link here.
Entourage came back to the airwaves last night, and in celebration, here are some hot ass Entourage ladies.
Since May 23rd, the Tampa Bay Rays are 12-19 and have dropped into third in the AL East. And what's better than two teammates getting nose to nose because one BJ Upton isn't playing hard and Evan Longorria has to tell him about it?
Holland and Brazil are my picks for today. Should be back with RM early afternoon at latest. Some technical difficulties as my BlackBerry was a casualty of Saturday's dull Toronto FC draw with LA Galaxy. Seems dropping it and spilling beer on it doesn't do wonders for it.
Gotta go remote today folks so no pics, no integrated linkage.
A huge day in the soccer world as the knockout rounds of the World Cup are under way, starting with the round of 16. Uruguay takes on South Korea this morning at 10am, and then at 2:30, Ghana faces the U.S. Yours truly will be pulling big for our neighbors to the south for reasons well documented here. Key for the Americans will be a good start, mostly because they've been starting poorly every game. If they can get a referee that doesn't rob them of a goal like the last two games, even better. I'm thinking Uruguay and the U.S. emerge victorious.
Chicago Fire - that's Major League Soccer, peeps - defender Krzysztof Krol called the phone number on Patrycja Mikula's Facebook page in May even though he'd never met the Playboy model before. That's some balls, right? Well, seems KK has some game off the field as seven weeks later, the two got married. http://is.gd/d3GRR
The OHB was discussing his future and when asked if he'd come back, despite never truly going away, said "Hell, I want to know." Poor OHB, pretending the drama is anybody but his doing. Hope it ends in another interception, mostly because that's the safest bet. http://is.gd/d3JBX #NFL
True story on the just-passed former-NBAer Manute Bol: When he first came to the US, his passport listed him as 5'2". "They measured me while I was sitting down," he said. Also true: Bol is credited with starting the "my bad" slogan.
Toronto FC host the LA Galaxy tonight at BMO Field and noted soccer hater in these parts Bukakke is joining yours truly, GBVH and others for the game. Suspecting he has a ridiculously good time. I know what you're thinking and the answer is "yes, Bukakke is in town during the G20?" No connection. Really.
Loved ARod crushing one against Joe Torre. Would have loved it more had he styled it and held up eight fingers while rounding the bases. The Yankees beat the LA Dodgers 2-1 and now lead the AL East by three games.
Have a great Saturday. I've got England and Argentina to win tomorrow.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Italy came into the World Cup as under the radar as you'll ever see a defending champion, and they left proving it was for good reason. Good to see them play 255 minutes before deciding they should show up, but it was too little, too late, as they were shocking 3-2 losers to Slovakia who advanced as the second place finisher in Group F, which was won by Paraguay. Japan were 3-1 winners over Denmark to grab the second place slot in Group E with Holland moving to 3-0 with a 2-1 win over Cameroon.
Up today is a giant Group G tilt between Brazil and Portugal with the loser most likely to get a date with Spain in the next round, unless the ridiculous upsets of this World Cup continue. Spain will be facing Chile to sort out the Group H winner, though Switzerland remains in the mix with a comfortable win over Honduras should they pull that off.
Says an English friend of mine: this World Cup is becoming like World War II. The French have surrendered, the Italians didn't show up, the US arrived late and England is left to fight the Germans! Funny stuff.
Wondering if baseball's drug era is over? Runs per game through June 20th are 8.95, the lowest total on that date since 1992. Home runs per game are at 1.85, the lowest since 1993.
After trading Nathan Horton to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, the Florida Panthers now have 5 of the first 50 picks (3, 15, 33, 36, 50). By way of comparison, the Toronto Maple Leafs have none and don't draft until #62.
The Chicago Bulls now have the ability to sign two maximum contract free agents after shipping Kirk Hinrich and the 17th pick in the draft last night to the Washington Wizards to clear the needed cap space. My money says LeBron James and Chris Bosh go there.
Tennis players John Isner and Nicolas Mahmut finally wrapped up their marathon Wimbledon match with a 70-68 final set. Pretty crazy when the minimum games to win an entire match is 18. Crazier? 11 hours and five minutes of play to complete.
Victoria's Secret has a semi-annual sale. Not sure what they're selling, but these pics are pretty good for starters.
Have a great Friday!
Friday games I'm picking Ivory Coast, Brazil, Switzerland and Spain.
It took 90 full minutes and a few second before the U.S. finally cracked Algeria for a huge 1-0 win when Landon Donovan pounced on a rebound to score a goal that not only sees the U.S. advance from Group C but also do so as the top seed thanks to England only winning by 1-0 over Slovenia as well. And to think somebody here scoffed that the U.S. were sh!t a month or so back when I suggested they're a team for neutral's to get behind. I'll update that now: if you don't like that team, you don't like sports. What a moment for the Americans. In Group D play, Germany were narrow 1-0 winners and hardly impressive, while Australia knocked Serbia out of the tourney and almost put themselves through to the next round, but fell a couple goals short in a 2-1 win. The U.S. will face Ghana on Saturday at 2:30pm while Germany will face England on Sunday at 10am. Several potential big European match-ups coming in the round of 16 as we may also see Holland face Italy, and Spain face Portugal depending how things pan out the next couple days.
Group F gets sorted out today and seems almost impossible to imagine that Italy and Paraguay don't go through as the top seeds. What is surprising is that it is likely to be in that order, which would almost certainly set up and Italian matchup with Holland as Group E leader. Second place in Group E will be sorted out between Denmark and Japan. Does it just feel like it has been the best week in a tourney ever, or is that just me?
At Wimbledon, John Isner and Nicolas Mahutplayed are playing the longest match in tennis history, at 8 hours and change - and counting! The match is at an incredible 59-59 score in the fifth and deciding set, and is going into a third day after it was suspended due to darkness yesterday. The match breaks the previous record of 6 hours, 33 minutes set in a 2004 French Open match. Didn't see it? Don't care? Then maybe you'll want to see the Top 20 Hottest Women Player's At Wimbledon.
A bunch of NBA teams have new logos, with the Golden State Warriors being the most dramatic, and the Orlando Magic mercifully retiring that hideous font they had for "Magic".
The NBA draft goes tonight. I for one will be avoiding it, and most NBA news, to stay away from the overdone LeBron James hype.
Really, enough of the Roger Milla Coke commercials already.
I was tempted to make this the lone piece today, but figured there was too much stuff to mention to not, but here it is to close again, Landon Donovan's clutch goal for the U.S. against Algeria. The goose bumps are yours free of charge.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Picks for Thursday... Italy Paraguay Denmark/Japan Tie Holland
Yesterday's games didn't go at all like I figured they would, as teams already advancing - Argentina and barring something crazy, both Uruguay and Mexico - all played like their lives were at stake. Fantastic stuff. Nigeria were a goal away, and missed an empty net from 5 feet out - picture at right - from advancing to the knockout round, but a 2-2 draw with South Korea wasn't enough. South Korea will play Uruguay Saturday morning now, with Argentina facing Mexico on Sunday. Your Culturally Insensitive World Cup Goal Roundup For June 22
Up today, you may have heard that England is a bit tense with what is almost surely a do-or-die game against Slovenia. Win and they advance, perhaps even as the first place team in Group C, avoiding a possible date with Germany. The U.S. face Algeria needing a win to ensure their advancement too. Those games go at 10am (Eastern). At 2:30, Germany face Ghana needing to win to claim Group D. Serbia also need a win to advance against Australia. A huge day with far too many possibilities to list for who advances, but I'm going to suggest it goes England and the U.S. in that order in Group D, and Germany and Serbia in that order in Group D. On a personal note, a mandatory monthly meeting was moved from next week to today from 9:30 to 11am. Somehow, I'm going to try to avoid finding out a score in both. Wish me luck on that.
This site lists the ten worst soccer dives. Shame the game allows garbage like this. I've long said that with all the video out there, it wouldn't be hard to drop cards and suspensions on player's post game for clear embellishment and then you'd see coaches drive it out as it would cost teams games and dollars with players sitting out for that nonsense.
Just a few more reasons soccer rules on TV: single commentator who doesn't think silence is the enemy, time boxed to two hours max, and the best part: no commercials save for half-time.
Might we see a Chris Paul and LeBron James combo somewhere next year? NBA powerbroker William "World Wide" Wesley is telling teams that if they deal for CP3, that will aid their chances of landing 'bron. Too many possibilities and moving parts there to see it happening, methinks.
Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera went through alcohol treatment in the offseason, and it seems to have worked judging by his day-game OPS this year versus year's prior. This is stunning: 2008: .708 (.982 at night), 2009: .851 (.995 at night), 2010: 1.101 (.991 at night). Memo to MLBers Missing The Greenies: don't hit the bottle at night, hit the bases big next day.
Minnesota Twin and reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer has yet to hit a home run at the Twinkies new park.
Says Bill Simmons (aka "The Sports Guy") via Twitter: After watching Messi this year on Barca & now in the WC, I'm convinced he's better at soccer than any U.S. pro athlete is at anything.
Portugal blew open the doors on North Korea and smoked them 7-0. For Portugal, it assures them of nothing as Brazil isn't likely to lay down as second place in the group potentially means a date with Spain in the round of 16. No easy task there. The clock has started on North Korean players defecting now rather than to face dismemberment or death upon returning home. Chile continue to keep the South American ball rolling in their 1-0 win over Switzerland. Only 9 cards, and one of them a straight red, handed out there. The final game of the day saw Spain beat Honduras 2-0, though it might well have been four or five times that.
Interesting pic from the LA Lakers victory parade, no?
Today's the first day of each team's third game, and no longer are there three game slots. To keep things fair to the extent possible, all groups are playing at the same time to avoid any unfair advantage like knowing you need to win, tie or even a loss keeps you in it. Group A sees Mexico and Uruguay tangle to determine first place, and a likely meaningless France vs. South Africa game, both at 10am. At 2pm, Group B gets sorted out with Nigeria taking on South Korea, and Argentina tuning up for round of 16 play with Greece, though Greece remain alive.
In case you didn't get to test out the new RandoMango test site yesterday, check it out here. Let me know what you think.
Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson returned from Tommy John surgery 07/10/08.He's 30-8, 2.95 since.
FIFA may not have formally discussed their thoughts on refereeKoman Coulibaly when he fisted the U.S. in a game against Slovenia they had in the bag late, but safe to say when he's been removed from consideration for round of 16 work, they've sent the message loud and clear. If the story leading up to the tourney was of the ball being poor and some stars getting injured, and the first few days was of low scoring and vuvuzelas, the story is now of some terrible officials that are far too loose with the cards and will hurt further rounds as players are under suspension. The quality of play is no longer an issue at all, and the goals are coming aplenty, but the officiating is a disaster.
Speaking of English players, Lionel Messi of Barcelona, and Argentina, is saying he'd love Barca to grab Manchester United's Wayne Rooney. Well, beats him going to Real Madrid anyways, but can't imagine Rooney leaving Man U.
The Florida Marlins, who could use any stunt to drive attendance, held a World Cup promotion on the weekend where they gave away vuvuzela's to their "crowd" of 15,000. Count Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, who was in as the visitors, among those who were not fans. Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't seem to mind, and says that crowd noise is a good thing. Point to Ozzie.
NFLPA president Kevin Mawaeteed off on former teammate Albert Haynesworthfor his "woe is me" act over the Washington Redskins switching to a 3-4 formation on defence, cracking him as selfish, and something less than a man.
Philadelphia Fan is at it again. Watch the guy in the blue shirt in the first couple rows as he makes his way to the stairs.
Love the banner being pulled by a plane - on Father's Day, no less - over Pebble Beach yesterday as Tiger Woods was about to tee off. Not sure if that was to blame for his blowing up yesterday.
Tough to say which team is a bigger disappointment in World Cup play after their first two games: defending champion Italy or highly touted England? Both have some work to do if they're to advance to the round of 16.
That time of year again? Wimbledon is here.
And then there is France, a total disaster on and off the field. Striker Nicholas Anelka has been sent home after telling coach Raymond Domenich "to f–k yourself. You dirty son of a bitch.” In response, Domenech said in statement that French team won't train because of Anelka's exit. How very French of them to quit when the going gets rough. And as if that weren't enough, captain Patrice Evra and physical preparation coach Robert Duverne got into it in practice, and word is Duverne has quit too. Meanwhile, the team France beat to qualify on a controversial hand ball - Ireland - sits at home no doubt relishing this implosion.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright has a record 22 straight quality starts at home.
South American teams are undefeated in eight games at the World Cup.
Not sure what says "security" more than an enraged fan making his way into the English dressing room on Friday and confronting David Beckham. Maybe he was thinking that at least Beck's wouldn't have sleep walked his way through England's scoreless draw with Algeria like the rest of the guys in white did and should've been out there even on one healthy leg.
A funny thing happened on the road to the 25-win season some forecast for Philadelphia Philly Roy Halladay. Halladay is now 8-6 and his former team has more wins than his current one.
A Scottish shopkeeper celebrating the World Cup has been accused of racism for hanging banner reading "Anyone But England." Silly me, didn't realize that "English" was a race.
Declan Hill, author of "The Fix" that documented gambling and soccer's relationship, discusses how there will be fixes in the coming week of the World Cup.
It was mentioned some time ago that if you were looking for a team to support that played the game right, look no further than the U.S. They continue to prove me right on that one yesterday when they put forth a spirited effort to dig out of a 2-0 hole to draw level with Slovenia in the dying minutes. They actually scored a third but it was inexplicably called back in one of the worst screw-jobs you'll see in the game. As a result, and in a historic first, FIFA referee Koman Coulibaly awarded Man of the Match for defensive efforts for the Slovenia squad. Coulibaly is no stranger to controversy after putting the screws to Tunisia in the 2010 African Nations Cup, and in 2006 to Egypt. How exactly does this guy get a World Cup assignment? The early game of the day saw Serbia shock Germany with a 1-0 upset in which the Germans played most of the game a man down after another garbage referee was handing out cards like he would be bonused for doing so, and saw German striker Miroslav Klose sent off on a weak call. And as for England, they'd do well to watch the U.S. themselves. They might learn a thing or two about heart and playing with desperation. England drew Algeria 0-0 and didn't deserve a lick better. Fabio Capello is going the route of the managers that preceded him and playing the name players, and not putting on the best team. How else would he continue to play a useless Frank Lampard, who is dragging down the entire team by then changing how Steven Gerrard is deployed?
The Ultimate Fighter finale goes tonight at 9pm on SportsNet with Kris McCray facing Court McGee in the main event. I've got McGee to win there. This piece looks at the rough road that is making it to and staying in the UFC. Full card here. Hoping Rich Antonito caves in Jamie Yager's face in the undercard.
If you're wondering, if 1 or more teams are tied after Group Stage of the World Cup, the first tiebreaker is goal difference in group games. Second is most goals scored in group matches.
If I'm being investigated in the shooting of a man, pretty much the last thing I'm going to do is be caught in possession of a gun, and even less likely, tell a cop that it isn't a gun when he looks into my car and spots it. But not former Indianapolis Colt Marvin Harrison, who did all of the above.
Crazy story passed from GBVH. A gambler wagered $40,000 that New Zealand would not score in their opening World Cup game against Slovakia. He must really have wanted that $800 payoff to drop $40k on that. Of course, the Kiwis scored seconds from the end of the game to make a loser of him.
Good of the NHL to get around to penalize head shots. It'll now be a five minute major - gasp! - if you crack somebody in the mellon.
The more I listen to Dion Phaneuf talk of how he's not going to change a thing about how he operates, and now that he has mixed in a new hairdo, I feel like I'm listening to Bryan McCabe Lite.
Wayne Rooney gets off a regrettable dig at the English fans post-game yesterday."Nice to see your home fans boo you, that's loyal supporters." He knows better, they fully deserved it.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Argentina still lack discipline defending, and took a few unneeded yellow cards which could hurt them later in the tournament if players end up suspended, but man are they fun to watch. They took apart a solid South Korea side yesterday by a 4-1 score, with Gonzalo Higuain putting home a hat trick in the second half. Match of the tourney? France, nice knowing you. You may still be alive mathematically, but you're done. Mexico were 2-0 winners over Nigeria.
Oh, and this morning, Serbia stunned Germany with a 1-0 win. Did not see that coming.
Argentina and Brazil were the first to arrive in South Africa, well ahead of their competition, and Germany'sBundesliga used the Jabulani ball for the entire season, familiarizing players with it moreso than the competition who have had it a month or so.
Golfer Steve Elkington, who could have a hell of a side gig as a comic, told The Jim Rome Show that "Tiger's gonna be in the muff." Presumably Elk meant at Pebble Beach and the U.S. Open.
Oh, love the people bitching about Germany getting the Adidas developed ball ahead of everyone. German company, people, and they had to test it somewhere in actual play, and more than a few of you didn't mind the lame "own the podium" tactics Canada employed in the Olympic run-up earlier this year I'm sure, so why wouldn't a German company want a team that sports their gear and traditionally has to have a slight advantage? You don't think Umbro would do the same for England? Nike for the U.S.?
Why Cliff Lee will be a New York Yankee next year: he is a long time friend and Arkansas buddy with AJ Burnett, and shares an agent with CC Sabathia. Oh, and wants a giant deal. With the Yankees.
Tweets Jim Rome on Albert Haynesworth's hold out: "London Fletcher on Albert Haynesworth: 'Albert made a very selfish decision.' Translation: We hate him. Who does he think he is? Number 4?"
Somebody request hot world cup fans? Paraguay, Denmark and Netherlands, come and get it.
Full disclosure, I had pegged Germany and USA as winners. Somebody let me know the lines so I can see what sub. 500 looks like.
So, is Switzerland beating Spain upset enough for you? Spain totally dominated, and when Spanish defender Carlos Puyol did his best Jose Calderon impression, the Swiss suddenly found themselves leading a game where they were utterly dominated in every aspect, except for time spent dropping men back into their own end. Word is they called their game plan "Montreal Canadiens 2010". Weird. Should Spain end up advancing in second in their group, that would all but ensure a round of 16 date with Brazil, or as I would call it "my bracket final selection gone up in smoke". If you haven't heard, no team has ever lost its opening World Cup game and gone on to win the trophy. The late game yesterday saw Uruguay deliver what should amount to the end of South Africa's squad with a 3-0 win, including a killer goal from Diego Forlan. Chile opened the day with an impressive performance in downing Chile 1-0.
Game 7 of the NBA Final goes tonight in L.A. Has to be more entertaining than the drab game six, no? Have to like the Lakers to win it.
Best idea I've heard to replace the entirely lame "winner of the all-star game gets World Series home field": have the league that wins more interleague games get home field. At least those are real competitive games.
Not sure how I missed the ESPN Outside the Lines piece on NBAer Winston Bennett, who claimed to have often slept with three or four women in a single day, sometimes 90+ a month. Not mentioned: how many kids he sired.
It won't be long until an 18-game NFL season happens, reducing the pre-season from four game to two. Great idea in an era players are working out year-round and have team activities almost the entire off-season. Tom Brady and Ray Lewis are concerned what the health impact will be to players. Not sure why Brady would voice an opinion, quarterbacks may as well play in bubble wrap for all the hits they're allowed to take these days.
Speaking of Tom Brady, check him out getting his Justin Bieber on. Wow.
Slovenian midfielder Andrej Komac is guaranteeing his team beat the U.S. tomorrow morning. U.S. goalie Tim Howard responded by largely laughing it off. Personally, I hope the U.S. throttle them. Not sure why any Slovenian player is getting high and mighty after beating Algeria or qualifying through a weak group. Stay in your lane, minnow.
Get yourself to a TV now, the Argentina and South Korea game is something else. "Business is picking up!", as good 'ol J.R. would say.
Let me make one thing clear on Cristiano Ronaldo: I think the world of his talent and few can match his power, speed, size and ability to score from any angle. But the diving act blights what should be the best player on the game, which at acknowledge at the moment he is not. Don't get me wrong, he gets beat up more than any player out there and at times, it doesn't take much to knock a guy down in full flight, but when you're ripped head to toe like he is - and doesn't mind showing the world - you shouldn't go down as readily as he does. CR7 was mostly invisible yesterday, much like his Portugal team were as they desperately tried to avoid a loss to a far more dynamic Ivory Coast yesterday in a game that ended a scoreless draw. The negative tactics are becoming a sad theme of the first stage of the World Cup, with North Korea also trying to avoid embarrassment to Brazil and finishing a respectable - on the scoreboard anyways - 2-1 losers to Brazil. The early game yesterday saw New Zealand pull a shocking equalizer in the dying seconds to draw Slovakia.
Up today, Honduras and Chile were the early game and Chile were 1-0 winners in a mostly good game. Spain finally get into the action at 10am when they face Switzerland. I won't curse them by predicting they show their full form as clearly, an unwilling opponent with a questionable ball can conspire to kill a game. Uruguay faces South Africa in their second group A matchup.
The suspension of the University of Waterloo football team for the entire season is interesting on a variety of levels. One, why is an entire team suspended if only a small segment were caught on the gas? Two, I don't believe for a second only UW were using roids because I know guys that went to programs at Laurier and Mac over the years that have told me different, including themselves being among the users. Three, if Waterloo was the only school using, you can take away the "performance enhancing" idea, no?
Bud Selig and the powers that be in baseball must just soil themselves when it is interleague play and it starts raining.
Roy Halladay got a reminder last night of what it is like to face a top offence and not the lightweights of the National League. 3 homers given up, tying a career worst. Welcome back to Yankee Stadium, Leroy. The Yanks pounded Philly 8-3 in a World Series rematch.
Thru yesterday's play, there were only 23 goals scored in first 14 World Cup games, the lowest by far of any 32-team World Cup. At the more ideal end, the last three after 14 games saw 34 goals in 1998, 39 in 2002, and 31 in 2006. Funny thing is that most soccer fans I've talked to can admit when it has been less than stellar, unlike fans in other sports that take it as an attack on their family when someone suggests their game is shit at the times. I'm looking at you, Hockey Fan.
That not good enough? Okay, how about a guide to naked WAG's? For the life of me, I can't figure how Shaun Wright-Phillips, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Peter Crouch pull that kind of talent.
The vuvuzela is on Twitter. People come up with some funny stuff. Check this out.
Former MLBer Wally Backman is now managing in the minor leagues and was recently mic'd up for a game. Well, he was thrown out of a game and unloaded a terrific rant. Definitely have your headphones plugged in if at the office for this. Warning: THIS. IS. AWESOME.
Holland made easy work of Denmark with a 2-0 win to open their World Cup run. Very impressed with the play of Eljero Elia off the bench for Holland. Japan were 1-0 winners over Cameroon in what could go down as one of the dullest games in history, and Italy and Paraguay played to a 1-1 draw, a bit of an escape for Italy after a terrible goal given up by Paraguay. Thought Italian Pepe was fantastic there, though the ghost of Fabio Cannavaro wasn't so impressive. Somehow I managed to stay off the grid for 5 hours after that one finished without finding out the score before I hit play on the PVR. Not easy staying off Twitter, ESPN et al for that long. Oh, and Memo to Gigi Buffon: nice tights. Grow a pair.
Some like to believe a World Cup doesn't get under way until Brazil gets in on the action, and they'll do that today at 2:30 with an easy win over North Korea. The intriguing match of the day is the 10am showdown between Ivory Coast, and an uncharacteristically under the radar Portugal. The silence around the name of Cristiano Ronaldo in the run up to the tourney has been stunning, frankly. This is a huge game for both as the winner will likely advance, albeit as most likely a second place finisher with a quarter-final date with Spain the "reward".
If I see another player shoot from distance and it goes 15' over the net, I'm finally going to buy this "ball sucks" business. Awful shooting to date, and surely that explains why they're on a record low scoring pace through four days. That said, the scoring may be low, but the goalkeeping has been largely horrible.
So all this talk of the Toronto Maple Leafslaunching new unis and they come out with a whole lot of nothing new. Yay, they put stripes back on to lose the practice jersey look and the retro shoulder patches. Yawn. But Dion Phaneuf is captain, so there is that.
The Philadelphia Phillies have the third worst interleague record in the majors when you add up the previous three years. Not something you'd guess, no?
If you're old enough, you might recall the vuvuzela was a fixture at Toronto Argo games years back. You know, when the Argos drew a crowd.
Why are there so many Serbian flags flying on pizza delivery vehicles?
The U.S. vs. England game Saturday afternoon drew a huge 2.25 million viewers in Canada, and 17 million south of the border, where it topped all of the first four games of the NBA finals. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon.
If Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans is suspended for his act in a Dallas strip joint this weekend, that would set up an interesting angle to the Titans Week 2 matchup vs. Pittsburgh, wouldn't it? Two QB's under suspension for violations of the Personal Conduct Policy.
The best World Cup performance of the opening weekend goes to Germany by a good margin, who ripped apart Australia in a 4-0 win yesterday that could've been far more than that. The win evened Europe's ledger at the World Cup to a modest 2-2-2 with only Slovenia the other winner, also yesterday. The other match yesterday saw Serbia a surprising 1-0 loser to the Black Stars of Ghana. Incidentally, found out yesterday from my parents that I'm at least 1/16th Ghanian.
The Philadelphia Phillies record over their last 20 games: 6 wins, 14 losses, and they've been outscored 98-48. Next stop is a World Series rematch in The Bronx, starting with Roy Halladay and CC Sabathia tomorrow night.
Not surprisingly, England goalie Robert Green has been dropped from the starting lineup after the howler he gave up on Saturday against the U.S.
Denmark's striker Niklas Bendtner says that he'll lead the World Cup in scoring. No, seriously. He also said he'd lead the English Premier League in scoring this year and we know how that turned out. Fool. Somebody should remind him he's Niklas Bendtner.
What do the Cincinnati Red, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays have in common? All are in first place, all were at home yesterday, and all drew fewer than 26,000 fans.
Be sure to catch Chicago Black Hawk Patrick Kane's act during the Hawks parade, attended by an estimated 2 million Chicagoans. Awesome stuff, PK.
The more I watch this video of Patrick Kane at the Chicago Black Hawks victory parade, the more I like him.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Full credit to the U.S. for not playing scared against England even after Steven Gerrard opened the scoring in the fourth minute finishing off a beauty set up. The U.S. pushed forward and while they scored a very lucky goal, were very much deserving of at least a point in this one. Tim Howard was fantastic in the U.S. goal.
Argentina started like they'd score a half dozen but the goalkeeping of Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama saw to it they wouldn't, a Gabriel Heinze goal aside, and the further the game went, the more it looked like Nigeria would level the score but Argentina ended up 1-0 winners. Great in attack, but very suspect defending for Argentina. A better team will make them pay.
The upside for Greece is that they're used to getting bent over, so if Korea do them for a 2-0 win, the destruction Argentina foist upon them will only offer a slightly harsher feeling in the nether regions. BOHICA, Greece. The more Greece played yesterday, the more infuriated I was that my Croatian boys - better than those plugs on their worst day - are at home.
Ben Roethlesberger is still talking of how he's changed, but isn't swearing off booze going forward, which is fine. I've always been in the camp that booze doesn't make you a prick, you being a prick makes you a prick. Not sure why anybody would be surprised by that though, this is the guy who nearly died while not wearing a motorcycle helmet and nearly becoming a hood ornament and insisted he'll keep riding. Now, if he were to swear off raping girls, then I'd be impressed but to date, no mention.
Nice knowing you, Chuck Lidell. The Iceman got iced with five seconds left in the first round by an awesome Rich Franklin right hand. Not bad for a guy who fought at least half the round with a broken arm after blocking a kick. Cro Cop won by submission for what was a pretty dull card overall in Vancouver for UFC 115.
It is a horror that nobody should have to endure. Wake up to your alarm clock on a Saturday morning after a great night before (read: malted hop frenzy) and think you're going to watch Argentina and Nigeria in World Cup action. Instead, you find you're seeing the duller-than-dishwater Greece. That's all you need to know, it don't matter who they're playing, that's a giant lunchbag letdown. 1-0 Korea though in the early stages, so that makes it a bit more palatable. Yes, Greece has a debt in this one too.
Those uniforms that the United States World Cup team will be rocking today were inspired by the U.S. team that had the biggest upset arguably in World Cup history some 60 years ago when they beat England. Of course, the U.S will face England today kicking off at 2:30pm in what is expected to be the highest rated soccer game in American history. The game will be played at a high altitude so it'll be interesting to see if the more worn down English players can keep pace with the U.S., who tend to be among the fittest teams in any competition. Found out that the referees are having some special training to learn English swear words ahead of this one.
Started a column to the right with the World Cup picks and record. Be sure to toss your picks into the comments section.
UFC 115 goes tonight in Vancouver with a less than appealing main event of Chuck Lidell and Rich Franklin. Maybe it is just me, but I find the Canadian UFC cards to date have been a little sub-standard relative to the cards you see in the U.S. Cro Cop faces Pat Berry in the main undercard fight, and there will no doubt be a strong Croatian support in Vancouver for Cro Cop. Full card here.
Michael Davis was on The B.S. Report podcast this week talking World Cup and explained that there is a difference in the grass in the northern and southern hemisphere and that that has historically played into why teams from the opposite hemisphere don't win. The southern grass tends to be longer, slower and thicker while the north tends to be shorter and faster, particularly when the fields tend to be watered pre-game leading to the ball sliding around the surface far quicker. Interesting note: the South African fields have been designed to play more like the northern hemisphere.
The fashion crime of the World Cup day goes to France, where they were all wearing smedium shirts that looked more fit for the Tour de France than Les Bleus.
That sound you hear at World Cup stadia is the sounds of the "vuvuzela", a plastic horn that you blow and the effect you get is the sound of an IndyCar or F1 race. GBVHoffers up this site where you can blow your own. Yours truly, in addition to using it as a funnel, once worked one in an Oktoberfest hall with a few friends that resulted in them being banned from Oktoberfest altogether. Yep, we've got game.
In case you weren't aware, the World Cup starts today and this guy is freaking jacked for it. That strange grinding sound you hear is the internet's bandwidth diving from everyone tuning into the South Africa/Mexico tilt at the office.
Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson, who beat Roy Halladay and the limp hitting Philadelphia Phillies last night with a 2-0 shutout, has six straight starts of 6+ innings pitched with one run or less given up, the first to do that since Chris Carpenter did it in 2005. It was also the 5th game this year that he allowed no more than three hits while pitching 6+, something nobody else has done this season.
Game six of the Stanley Cup Final was watched by 8 million households in the U.S., the highest figure since 1974. Modest by any measure, but the NHL has to feel pretty good about the year it has had. Having two traditional markets in the final, and a rub from the Olympics, had to have helped some.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlesberger is playing the "young and immature" card in apologizing. Right, because I'm sure he's aged and gained so much wisdom in mere months since he was accused of raping an underage girl in a bar bathroom.
A great soccer blog I've discovered in the last few days - - that developed an awesome points system that took into account diving, bad fouls, waving invisible cards and stealing yards on throw-ins, among other things, to determine the dirtiest eleven soccer players at the World Cup.
A trio of picks for tomorrow's World Cup action are coming later today, a little hesitant to check the old gambling lines at the office.
Come to find out that the Lucha Libre set don't take kindly to fans trying to rip their masks off. The slo-mo is amazing.
The Chicago Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup last night with a 4-3 overtime win that was eerily similar to Canada's gold medal win in February. A late goal from the opposition ties it up, and the winning goal comes early in overtime on a nice individual play - this from Patrick Kane - from the goalies right shooting five hole, just like Sidney Crosby did in Vancouver. Kane will never have to pay for a cab in his home town of Buffalo again. Finally, a sincere "STFU" to Don Cherry for his continued raving about how many Canadians were in the final four. We get it, you like Canada. It stuns me that more people don't cringe at his broken record act. Imagine if you tuned into the World Series or Super Bowl to hear "90% of the players here are American!" You'd puke in disgust and bitch and moan, but that old curmudgeon does it and we get to pay for the privelege. Can't wait til Father Time takes care of Grapes, because the CBC sure doesn't seem to have the stones to not cater to the lowest common denominator.
In the 2-3-2 format, the last ten years the winner of game three has won the NBA title.
The NHL is in the process of renaming some of its trophies. If they were ever to rename the Stanley Cup, wouldn't "Scottie Bowman's Cup" be a slam dunk? He's getting his name on it again after his run as a consultant with the Hawks, in addition to multiple Cups in Montreal, Pittsburgh and Detroit. The guy is as money as anybody in sports history.
John Doyle at the Globe and Mail looks at diving in soccer and calls it part of the game. My take is this: (1) yes, it is a part of the game. A terrible part. Let's be clear: not all players and teams engage in it, and not even close to most players. For example: find the U.S. do it once this World Cup and I've got a beer for you. No joke. Lionel Messi - best player on the globe today - won't go down unless he's killed. Wayne Rooney is largely the same way with a couple incidents I'd rather not discuss for my fav player who plays the game right 99% of the time (2) Don't necessarily watch a replay and see a guy go down and assume it was a dive. Remember these guys are flying out there and a shoulder can knock you off balance and on your rear easy. Cristiano Ronaldo is a noted diver, but he also takes more of a pounding than virtually anyone as there isn't a way to slow him down otherwise and he doesn't often look to pass once he gets in top gear, so he's not always diving. I won't reference his bitching to the refs, that's another topic. (3) don't pretend it doesn't exist in hockey and basketball. It does, and as GBVH pointed out, in the NBA it is often called "defending". (4) I hate it, it is embarrassing, and have long maintained that if you were to dish out cards with post-game reviews by video, you'd see it disappear in a hurry when teams started losing guys to suspension and coaches jobs became threatened when stars started missing games and games were lost. (5) Fortunately, it is also a rare, almost non-existant occurance in the MLS.
Two games on the go tomorrow and here's how we're going to do it. We're going to play every game on the money line available to either wager or win a hundred dollars. So if a dog, we're wagering a theoretical $100, if a fav, we're betting to win the hundred. I'm taking the draw in the South Africa-Mexico game at +231. In the afternoon battle, I'm betting France at +120 over Uruguay. All lines at Pinnacle where you can sign up, or just check lines, by clicking the link above today's entry. If you're wondering why I'm doing them a day ahead, it is more to get the 7:30am kickoffs out of the way that start Saturday morning. Post your picks in the discussion portion if you wanna go head to head.
No, it won't be all soccer here for the next month, but there will be a lot of it. If you're not a fan, stick around, you might learn something.
Why Spain is my pick to win the World Cup...check them take Poland apart a couple days ago in a 6-0 beatdown.
Dan Patrick brings Jeremy Roenick to tears, leaving Roenick in the same spot Patrick leaves most.
