Played 27 This Week…

Balboa nine mid-week: didn’t play especially well (= played horrible), but made a big stride forward in that I used the driver on every long hole. Never done that before: I’ve always used it once, shanked it off like nobody’s business, then put it away. Had an old guy I don’t know giving me advice on every hole, which was kinda annoying.

Eighteen today at Carmel Mountain was my first ever 18 on a big course. First hole was 553 yards long, which was a bit of a shock to the system (the courses I usually play are 3000 or so total, nevermind the first hole). Was quite pleased with myself, especially over the first six. Sunk a couple of decent putts, hit a couple of decent drives, but got tired kinda quickly and was flagging pretty badly by 12. Perfectly happy with my first round on a big course, especially my driving. Had a young guy I don’t know giving me advice this time. I guess it’s my curse.

Forza Azzurri! Italy Show Their Class…

Wow. Game of the tournament, goals of the tournament. That was absolutely brilliant.

I’ve criticised Italy for their negative play, but they shut their critics up today. Cool, calm & collected, Grosso’s goal was just perfect. Del Piero’s was nice too, but Grosso was the real hero today. Absolutely brilliant, and what the WC should be about. Here’s hoping they keep it up in the final: I’ll be supporting them, for sure.

Feel bad for Germany and Jurgen, but this game was alll about Italy. First performance from anyone that’s been really worthy of a world champion.

Forza Azzurri!

Now that the dust has settled…

Some observations on the competition so far:

• Something needs to be done about the standard of officiating. Way too many cards, way too many bad decisions. Personally I think the modern game at this level, on this stage, is too much for one man to officiate without any sort of technical help. Replays for key moments, an eye in the sky (guy in the stands watching a video monitor)… something needs to be done, ‘cos it’s been a joke this tournament.
• England failed to pull together as a team. Being honest, they never looked like they deserved to be there. One good half (against Sweden), in a sea of mediocrity. Not unlike Brazil (but without the flair), they never really clicked.
• An African team still hasn’t won the tournament (sorry Pele), but they’re definitely improving. Ghana were excellent.
• That said, Australia are my team of the tournament. They should be very proud, and if England had shown a fraction of the drive and commitment the Aussies did we’d be getting ready to play France now. Fair play lads.
• Blatter is still an absolute buffoon, the Italians and Portuguese still love to roll around on the floor like they’ve been shot, and DB07 still aint all that.
• The Spanish & Dutch are still able to self-destruct like nobody’s business. It’s absolutely incredible, and I really can’t explain it. Any Spaniards or Dutch folks care to enlighten me?
• The World Cup is still the best thing going. England v Trinidad, Portugal v Angola… and yes, England’s capitulation. Only the WC can deliver drama like this. Brilliant.

France through then. Oh, the irony

Everyone (myself included) optimistically said that England playing shit the first few games was a good omen (team playing bad but still winning and all that), and that France were on their way home after their terrible showing in the first group games.

Oops.

I still don’t rate this France team though, honestly. Zidane is obviously pure class, but the rest leave me cold. Henry scored in a big game today (well done you), but in fairness David May would have put that one away. Plus he was offside.

Brazil just believed their own hype and waltzed into the game thinking they were going to walk all over them. A bigger letdown than England (for the neutral) given the expectations of them. Definite similarities with us though… where was Ronaldinho? Kaka? Robinho? Lots of big stars failing to perform.

The only real positive for me was Ronaldo, who defied his critics (me included) to become the highest scorer in World Cup history. The goal that broke the record was pure class, too… cheeky little shimmy to send the keeper the wrong way. I’ve always liked his approach: usually has a smile on his face, definitely has the right attitude. Only opposition player I’ve ever seen get a standing ovation at Old Trafford. Fair play.

Both Brazil & England clearly deserved to go out, for different reasons. A real shame, as I was very much looking forward to playing the samba boys in the semi.

Such is life.

Auzzie! Auzzie! Auzzie!

Oi! Oi! Oi!

That's my new favorite game of the tournament… absolutely brilliant. Terrible football most of the time, but superb entertainment. Calamity goalkeeping, loads of near misses… a croatian getting three yellow cards… an insane final 20 minutes. Brilliant, brilliant stuff. I'm stoked for the Aussies…. they get screwed every time in qualifying, so it's nice to see them get through now that they finally made it. Absolutely deserved, too.

Italy next for them… second game in row I'll be supporting Italy's opposition

Goal of the tournament?

Got to be up there… my man Fernando Torres (&*#$ I'd love to see him in a United shirt). He really is ridiculously good… that finish was just out of this world. Shame he fluffed the one-on-one with the keeper a few minutes later, but let's not be too picky, eh? Wonderful piece of finishing. Spain showing a bit of heart here too, coming back from 1-0 down to win 3-1… nice to see. Raul look pleased to score too, did he not?

Ukraine evidently took the beating Spain gave 'em to heart, and administered one of their own to the Saudis (same 4-0 scoreline). Good work. Lastly the Togolese were put out of their misery by an uninspiring Swiss squad.

Back to that Torres goal though. Wub.

Anyone got a video link?

Many laughs this weekend…

Starting with the US/Italy game. That was proper rubbish, that. Three red cards, Italy scoring twice (once at each end) blood all over McBride's face… probably the most exciting terrible game of football I've ever seen. Much improved performance from Team USA, but was it the Italians being terrible, or were they really better? Bit of both, I guess.

Elsewhere Ghana easily beat the Czechs (right after I tipped them to win the tournament – good work fella), and a Ronaldo fired Portugal made it through to the next round. Nice.

Today Croatia drew with Japan (penalty saved), Brazil secured the next round by beating the Aussies, and France hahahaha.

USA v Italy later on today..

We're having folks round, including an actual Italian. It's going to be fun, although I fear this could be the end for the US. Tough, tough group, though I still think Italy are the weaker out of them and the Czechs (who are my outside bet to win it all).

Best chance for the US is that the [deserved] roasting they got for their terrible performance last time combines with italy being lax after picking up three points, and they manage to surprise Italy somehow. Helluva longshot, but stranger things have happened…. Giorgia's not going to be happy with me, but I'd like the US to win this.

Elsewhere I expect the Czechs to get past Ghana (not without a struggle, mind – should be a good exciting game), and Portugal to bore their way past Iran. Hopefully Ronaldo delivers end product today: if he does, no bore. If he doesn't, who knows.

ps – I'm United

Germany: Not very good…

Says it all really, eh? Still, good for the tournament that they got through, I suppose. According to the stattos Germany had 12 shots on goal… I remember two of them: the crazy double crossbar hitting ones. Oh, and the goal too, I suppose. In any case, it sucks to be Poland right now. At least they don't have far to get home.

Saudi game was supposedly very good, though I was otherwise engaged throughout. Pesky work, eh?

Today was all about Spain for me though: result of the tournament so far. I'm dead pleased for them. Even Toyah down there.

OK, I’m getting into this old goals on YouTube thing now…

So Manuel's links got me thinking about old goals I love…

Bestie scoring a beauty for San Jose (careful, the audio's pretty loud). If only he'd had the chance to do the same in the World Cup. Note the cheerleaders in the background, er, leading the cheers.

Another stunner from Georgie, though my entire life I thought this was against Leeds, not Spurs. Anyone? Either way, I love the super casual way he just leans back and places it over the 'keeper.

Eric The King. Some goal that. The chest out stance after is classic Cantona.

Ruud proves once and for all that he's useless outside the box. Arsenal muppets.

Any others? No Liverpool though please