Freeway Morons

Other half had a bit of a scare on Sunday: rear offside blowout. Lots of skidding, but thankfully managed to come to a safe stop.

I arrived about 20 minutes later to help and there was a mini van pulling up behind her. That’s nice, think I. Somebody’s stopping to help. Faith in humanity restored, etc. Only they’re stopping to ask for directions. They’re asking my wife, whose very clearly non functional car is parked on the north bound side of the 805 Freeway, for directions. It’s 95 degrees and there are trucks going by at 65 miles an hour about two feet away. And they’re asking her for directions.

What is wrong with people?

2010 (South Africa) World Cup In Trouble?

Interesting and worrying article in the Guardian today:

“Fifa executives have voiced “serious” doubts about whether South Africa will be able to host the next World Cup in 2010 and have discussed a radical contingency plan that would see the United States stage the tournament instead, it was reported in Germany yesterday.”

Though I’d be sad to see South Africa lose it, I have to say I have my doubts about their ability to put it together. US seems the most likely to be able to host at such short notice. Also I live here now, so that would suit me down to the ground.  Any chance of having the Euros over  here too?

Zidane Goes Mental, Italy Wins!

Bloody hell, what a finish.

Invisible for most of the game, Zidane crowns it with one of the most extraordinary moments a World Cup final has ever seen. Not unprecedented from him, but astonishing nonetheless. France looked to be in control, and he goes mental. Some power behind that headbutt, too. Kapow!

Fair play to Italy, proper test of nerves at the end with their penalty record, but they passed with flying colors. Gattuso was absolutely immense today, surprised he didn’t get MoM consideration: he was everywhere. Another one I’d love at United… perfect replacement for Roy Keane.

Nice to see Henry pick up his loser’s medal, too. Well deserved, a real runner’s up performance from him again today

This pic says it all, really:

Cheers for the memories Zizou. Truly one of the great players, but also a bit mental at times. Bit of a rubbish way to bow out, eh? Time to reconsider your retirement (again)?

10 Men Behind the Ball at All Times?

The showpiece kicks off in a little over half an hour… 32 teams whittled down to these two. So many questions…. will Henry turn it on? Will he swandive his way to a WC medal? How negative will the Italians be? Will there be a load of cards?  A sending off?

I’m hopeful the Italians play like they did against Germany, but my fear is they’ll put 10 behind the ball and try and smother the French.
I’m thinking 0-0 here, with the Italians taking it on Penalties.  Either way am expecting a real defensive battle.

Has This World Cup Been Any Good?

I can’t decide. Lot of folks saying it’s been the worst ever, but the English always say that after crashing out on penalties. I think above all else I’ll remember it as the competition of crazy cards. At the end of the group stage this WC had seen more cards than the whole of Japan/Korea saw. That’s just rubbish: with the exception of the Holland/Portugal game, it’s really not been a dirty competition.

I’ll also remember it for all the diving, Ronaldo and Henry in particular. Fifa needs to give itself the power to ban players after the game, based on the video evidence. That’s the only way it’ll get resolved, although a video ref in the stands and immediate yellows for diving will help. I really think it’s ruining the game… makes me sick to see a player as talented as Ronaldo or Henry going down with the slightest bit of contact, or even worse just out and out diving. They’re all at it, and we have to stop it somehow.

Thierry Henry is a Big Cheat

‘nother dive from him today to get them into the final, after the dive that broke the deadlock with Spain. Cheating fecker. Normally I support France, but this time I hope Italy absolutely batter them.

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!

Frings Get Difficult for Germany

I’d really like the Germans to win (and initially I thougt they were going to), but the short answer now is I don’t think they can. Italy haven’t been scored against all tournament…. 450 minutes without the opposition getting past Buffon… nine goals, eight different scorers… that’s pretty incredible. Germany missing Frings…. not to mention their terrible record against Italy (never beaten them in the World Cup)… I think this is the end of the road for them.

I’d like to be wrong, as Italy in the final most likely won’t be pretty and I hate their negative play, but I fear they’ll have too much for the Germans tomorrow.

Incidentally, I know they don’t play till Wednesday, but the side of the French team bus reads: ‘Liberty, Egality, Jules Rimet’.

Excellent.

The Guardian’s Richard Williams: Right On The Money

Great piece from Williams in the Guardian today:

“When Sven-Goran Eriksson also spoke about the team “deserving” to reach the final, he tried to suggest that it was because of the quality of their football. Strictly on the basis of their successive performances against Hungary, Jamaica, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden and Ecuador, however, it would have taken a battalion of the world’s finest legal advocates to make a case for the justice of their arrival in the final rounds of the biggest international football tournament of all.”

When you put it like that….

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.