Looks like the party convoy is set to roll in.(g.sports.yahoo.com)
Even with the Celtics in the finals and the recent resurgence of the Sox, the enchanting croak of the vuvuzela is luring me in. It's World Cup 2010, ladies and gents, about as unavoidable as soaking up a bit of petroleum product with a swim in the Gulf in recent times, or the temptation to say the name Siphiwe Tshabalala 10 times fast. As a casual soccer fan in the past, the World Cup was a prominent event of interest for me, but it was more of an aquarium-type experience as I watched the inhabitants of my town (about a third with Portuguese descent) catch the fever that only the biggest sporting tournament on the globe can bring while tapping the glass with the Ronaldo flopping cracks. With a club team chosen, the fact that I can name more than 5 players on Cameroon's team and with me using the word 'pitch' for more than a curveball, I guess you can say that this is the first World Cup that I am in the fish tank, so-to-speak. Besides, there is not too many instances in which you will voraciously re-hash Revolutionary Way/War of 1812 issues on a Saturday afternoon at your TV screen, unless you are on some rowdy debate team. In the midst of my ever-growing knowledge and interest in the beautiful game, and as a few refs are studying up on their English curse words, a few questions are going to linger in my brain until that final whistle in Johannesburg a month from now. It's gametime, world!
For the U.S., it's gonna take a little more than a lot of flexing.(soccermogul.com)
How will the U.S. perform?
The crystal ball seems to be floating with a little optimism for our red, white and blues. The Americans arguably enter the World's game with one of the top goalies in the world in Tim Howard, and with Group C containing upstarts like Algeria and Slovenia, the U. S. of A have a solid chance of reaching the Sweet 16 in South Africa. With all that being said, I don't really have the highest expectations for the US. in 2010, at least for a having a long, successful run. Despite the Dempsey/Donovan attacking combo, the Americans seem to be severely lacking on the defensive side of the ball. Jozy Altidore's ankle sure doesn't make me feel all too cozy, and the prospect of seeing Wayne Rooney bulldozing Oguchi Onyewu and his healing left knee on Saturday is all too real of a nightmare for me. Even Landon Donovan has proclaimed in a couple of interviews that this country as at least a couple of World Cups away from truly breaking out. But hey, you can never lose too much faith in your country in a tourney as grand as this. Imagine actually pulling off a magical run while beating countries that worship soccer as a natural rite of passage, all while we as a country on average are spending more time photo shopping LeBron James into their favorite team's uni. If we even make it to the semifinals, we would just have to fly Al Michaels down in the event of the impossible to make some kind of unique utterance. Unfortunately, I think the chances of the stars and stripes winning this thing is exactly that, a miracle.
The crystal ball seems to be floating with a little optimism for our red, white and blues. The Americans arguably enter the World's game with one of the top goalies in the world in Tim Howard, and with Group C containing upstarts like Algeria and Slovenia, the U. S. of A have a solid chance of reaching the Sweet 16 in South Africa. With all that being said, I don't really have the highest expectations for the US. in 2010, at least for a having a long, successful run. Despite the Dempsey/Donovan attacking combo, the Americans seem to be severely lacking on the defensive side of the ball. Jozy Altidore's ankle sure doesn't make me feel all too cozy, and the prospect of seeing Wayne Rooney bulldozing Oguchi Onyewu and his healing left knee on Saturday is all too real of a nightmare for me. Even Landon Donovan has proclaimed in a couple of interviews that this country as at least a couple of World Cups away from truly breaking out. But hey, you can never lose too much faith in your country in a tourney as grand as this. Imagine actually pulling off a magical run while beating countries that worship soccer as a natural rite of passage, all while we as a country on average are spending more time photo shopping LeBron James into their favorite team's uni. If we even make it to the semifinals, we would just have to fly Al Michaels down in the event of the impossible to make some kind of unique utterance. Unfortunately, I think the chances of the stars and stripes winning this thing is exactly that, a miracle.
How do you say, 'Au Revoir' in Zulu?(thenewschronicle.com)
Who will be the biggest surprise/disappointment?
So hard to pick, considering at even some of the best teams have great obstacles to overcome. From Maradona's aura to Spain's absence of luck, it only takes one lackluster game to shock a world of football fans, as well as paralyze a country that had high hopes of a confetti shower in their capital city. As much as I don't want to scare my Portuguese peers, even the 3rd ranked Portugal may be susceptible to the snake bite for being in the same group as superpower Brazil and depending on Didier Drogba's health, a formidable Ivory Coast squad. Even the English squad doesn't impress me with David James in goal, increasing my hopes for an American upset. But for the disappointments, you may not have to look further than the participants of the 2006 final. As the virtual geriatrics of the tournament, Italy title defense hopes are shaky at best and probably have the highest probability of tanking if not for being slotted in a fairly easy Group F. So the Stinky Boot will go to the hands-on French team (Had to do it!), who will not only fall victim to the salacious sex scandal that has affected a few of the team's key players (Ribery, Benzema), but possibly to a defensive-minded Uruguayan squad (not-to-shabby 16th in the world), who have the offensive punch of Forlan/Suarez to boost their advancement out of Group A, giving birth to my biggest South African surprise team.
Mr. Mandela, many nations are turning their eyes to you.(shellinfosight.com)
How will South Africa do as hosts?
Saying that this World Cup is a big deal is an understatement. Not only is this pivotal for one of the world's fastest-growing economies, but this is of high importance to a continent who is hosting an event of this magnitude for the 1st time. Many have already lauded this South African World Cup as one of the biggest modern day historical events in modern African history. That doesn't mean that South Africa haven't caught some flak for some of the goings-on in their country. It seems as if all I've seen is more of South Africa's peccadilloes, all those stories on ESPN's Outside the Lines on corrective rape and human trafficking seem to be the images emitted by the cathode rays to the public as of late. On top of that, we've all been reminded of the country's high rape and murder rate to go along with that nasty bout in their past with apartheid and how it still affects a free-South Africa to this day. Turns out that the nation is hoping that this World Cup will attract more white talent to a predominantly black football corps, exposing some of the complicated race and class issues that still plague South Africa. We also can't forget the tragedy of the Togo bus ambush at the Cup of African Nations in Angola almost 5 months back. Hell, even the vuvuzela, the official noisemaker of the World Cup in 2010, could potentially spread flu according to some studies. But like the world at large, the nation of South Africa has been prepping themselves physically and mentally for this event. They know as much as anybody that this is grand moment for the reputation of a continent, and they will not let anything take away from the magnitude, as well as what the World Cup could potentially improve from an economical and social standpoint with all this media exposure. It's not necessarily that they won't screw this up, South Africa just can't afford to.
Saying that this World Cup is a big deal is an understatement. Not only is this pivotal for one of the world's fastest-growing economies, but this is of high importance to a continent who is hosting an event of this magnitude for the 1st time. Many have already lauded this South African World Cup as one of the biggest modern day historical events in modern African history. That doesn't mean that South Africa haven't caught some flak for some of the goings-on in their country. It seems as if all I've seen is more of South Africa's peccadilloes, all those stories on ESPN's Outside the Lines on corrective rape and human trafficking seem to be the images emitted by the cathode rays to the public as of late. On top of that, we've all been reminded of the country's high rape and murder rate to go along with that nasty bout in their past with apartheid and how it still affects a free-South Africa to this day. Turns out that the nation is hoping that this World Cup will attract more white talent to a predominantly black football corps, exposing some of the complicated race and class issues that still plague South Africa. We also can't forget the tragedy of the Togo bus ambush at the Cup of African Nations in Angola almost 5 months back. Hell, even the vuvuzela, the official noisemaker of the World Cup in 2010, could potentially spread flu according to some studies. But like the world at large, the nation of South Africa has been prepping themselves physically and mentally for this event. They know as much as anybody that this is grand moment for the reputation of a continent, and they will not let anything take away from the magnitude, as well as what the World Cup could potentially improve from an economical and social standpoint with all this media exposure. It's not necessarily that they won't screw this up, South Africa just can't afford to.
The obstacle to world greatness maybe closer to home than you think.(fcdenver.org)
Will South Africa be the launching pad for Messi's legend?
A golden ACE banadge may need to be rewarded after it's all said and done.(zimbio.com)
Can Spain finally break through in the biggest stage on the globe?
At the dawn of the 2010 go-round, many have reserved the tallest portion of the podium for Spain, and for good reason. Coming off a dominant title run in the 2008 Euro tourney, Spain probably boasts the most world-class players currently are in top form. With footballers like David Villa, Xavi, Pique, and stud keeper Iker Casillas, it's somewhat of a shocker that they haven't already handed over the trophy to La Roja in the pre-tourney concert. But using history as a guide, it's a dangerous proposition to coronate the Spaniards in any World Cup. In fact, Spain's best World Cup showing was a 4th place finish in 1950, and their performance in international play has been marred more by underachievement than by pure futility. The dominating Euro 2008 in many ways, was more of the exception than the rule in terms of Spain's history in global competition, for it marked sort of a demon cleanser and their former title of chokers. However, you have to wonder if that loss to the U.S. in the Confederations Cup is still lingering In order for Spain to triumph on Johannesburg soil, they must outperform their marginal past, while having their medics do a little overachieving themselves. With players like Iniesta, Fabergas and striker Fernando Torres battling some form of injury or another, the medics' ability to heal these bruised superstars will play as much of a role in Spain re-writing their international history as a well-placed pass from Xavi.
Mochaman's World Cup Predictions
2010 World Cup Sweet 16
Group A:
Mexico
Uruguay
Group B:
Argentina
Greece
Group C:
England
United States
Group D:
Germany
Serbia
Group E:
Netherlands
Cameroon
Group F:
Italy
Paraguay
Group G:
Brazil
Portugal
Group H:
Spain
Chile
Golden Ball:
Lionel Messi ARG
Golden Boot:
David Villa ESP
Final Match
Spain 3 vs. Argentina 2
Third Place Game
Germany 2 vs. Netherlands 1
At the dawn of the 2010 go-round, many have reserved the tallest portion of the podium for Spain, and for good reason. Coming off a dominant title run in the 2008 Euro tourney, Spain probably boasts the most world-class players currently are in top form. With footballers like David Villa, Xavi, Pique, and stud keeper Iker Casillas, it's somewhat of a shocker that they haven't already handed over the trophy to La Roja in the pre-tourney concert. But using history as a guide, it's a dangerous proposition to coronate the Spaniards in any World Cup. In fact, Spain's best World Cup showing was a 4th place finish in 1950, and their performance in international play has been marred more by underachievement than by pure futility. The dominating Euro 2008 in many ways, was more of the exception than the rule in terms of Spain's history in global competition, for it marked sort of a demon cleanser and their former title of chokers. However, you have to wonder if that loss to the U.S. in the Confederations Cup is still lingering In order for Spain to triumph on Johannesburg soil, they must outperform their marginal past, while having their medics do a little overachieving themselves. With players like Iniesta, Fabergas and striker Fernando Torres battling some form of injury or another, the medics' ability to heal these bruised superstars will play as much of a role in Spain re-writing their international history as a well-placed pass from Xavi.
Mochaman's World Cup Predictions
2010 World Cup Sweet 16
Group A:
Mexico
Uruguay
Group B:
Argentina
Greece
Group C:
England
United States
Group D:
Germany
Serbia
Group E:
Netherlands
Cameroon
Group F:
Italy
Paraguay
Group G:
Brazil
Portugal
Group H:
Spain
Chile
Golden Ball:
Lionel Messi ARG
Golden Boot:
David Villa ESP
Final Match
Spain 3 vs. Argentina 2
Third Place Game
Germany 2 vs. Netherlands 1
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