World Cup
Also: Happy Midsummer!! (Not that I care for it. I'll be staying at home)
Well... Since it's been already a week since the beginning of the World Cup, I guess I can break my silence. Obviously, I have been watching most of the matches (at least sort of) while trying to get my crap together and do some (very little) work.
Aaaannyyyyyway
-Already out: Spain, Australia, Cameroon. No surprise and yes, I mean Spain as well, although I did still think they could make it to the first knockout round and go out there (against Brazil). While doing my predictions I debated whether to put Chile or Spain through, but decided ultimately on Spain, because I had some (a little) faith in them. Now, I'm not sure they can beat even Australia. Actually, I'm rooting for Australia, who (despite being supposedly the weakest team of the tournament) showed a lot of spunk and spirit against the Netherlands and Chile. WAY more than Spain did. Spain's 1-5 defeat to the Netherlands was glorious. The Netherlands definitely displayed some awesome football, despite not having an incredibly strong team on paper (besides their world class offense). I'd have preferred Chile to also thrash Spain though just because of the Spain-Chile game in the previous World Cup. Thank goodness Spain's boring football is done early this time. In two games they manages to concede more goals than in their previous showings (2008,2010,2012) together and have only scored one goal... from a penalty that shouldn't have even been given. Ouch.
Do I feel sorry for them? A little, since it was pretty embarrassing especially against the Netherlands, BUT these guys have won pretty much everything on both club and international level, so... Not really. For the last match I'd hope for the coach to let other players get some playing time. Absolutely nothing is at stake (3 point or no points, their dignity is gone anyway) And maybe this is a starting point to bring in other players, who haven't won anything and have a lot more to prove. Also: A different style of football.
- The boring games: Until now, Japan against anyone and Iran vs. Nigeria (which got to be the first 0-0) Actually, I have nothing to say there. But these 0-0s are bringing the goal average down and there has been a surprising amount of goals already (though partly thanks to lopsided match-ups)
-Germany vs Portugal: So Germany opened with another 4-0. Yay! (I just hope this doesn't mean that it will be followed with a defeat). I'm sceptical about Germany's chances, because of injuries (well, mainly Reus) and the coach (gah), but not making it to the semis would be a massive failure for them, since they won't be facing any tough opponents before then (when they can go out against Brazil or whoever). Also yay for Müller's hat trick, unfortunately tainted by Pepe's silly antics that made even Müller look bad, because seriously, if Pepe hadn't been sent off (due to HIS OWN ACTIONS), nobody would give a rat's arse about Müller's theatrics. (That being said, it wasn't cool, but it's hardly the worst and there was a foul there anyway) I loved our pundits trying to pick out one German player... and then ultimately deciding that there are so many and that Germany's team is a cohesive group. Because yeah, football is a team sport, which brings me to...
-Those stars: I don't know, do people really love hearing about these hyped players?? And what is it with one day talking about how Messi is the best football player in the world and on another day it's CRon? I mean.. GAH! Can't it just be: They're both really great players, who can make a big difference, without bringing this whole "best player" into a frigging team sport. Besides, if you're going to talk about that, CRon is the one with the golden ball and whose team just won the Champions league. Anyway, I think Argentina has seemed to find a better balance with realising that football is team sport (and even Messi managed to score) whereas Portugal could probably benefit from resting (an injured) CRon and play more like a team.
-England's chances: I hadn't predict England to advance and normally I don't even like them, but now I'm kind of rooting for them?? I don't know.. They have played two good games, but have just fallen short and I think it would make things interesting, if everything came down to the last round. Hah. Besides, how awesome would it be to make such a comeback? England's only remaining chance is if Italy wins all their games and England beats Costa Rica. (Then it comes down to goal difference) If Italy loses or draws in any of their remaining games, England is done. Kind of funny that England fans now HAVE to root for Italy (or alternatively root for Italy's opponents to lose).
Sidenote: Malta's football fans are divided into Italy and England supporters, so at least for the following game, they're one! :)
-3 ex-Bayern coaches! I don't know, I just had to mention this. (btw. I always liked van Gaal and thought he pretty much laid the foundation for Bayern's future dominance)
-Predictions: Well... Obviously the Netherlands and Germany have looked the strongest and they're (yet again) my preferred final, but my prediction is still Brazil and Argentina, despite not wanting that at all (especially not Argentina) and despite neither looking that amazing. Germany is probably the strongest team in the tournament despite everything, but they'll end up screwing up somehow (darn it!) and while the Netherlands have started strong, they tend to run out of steam (well.. not really in 2010, so maybe I don't know..) Also, they haven't really been tested. Their first opponents were weak and Australia... Heck, they were almost evenly matched (well, not really, but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park). Now... the game against Chile will be something and will probably decide who has to face Brazil (Unfortunately van Persie can't play in that. DARN IT!!!)
-My faves:
*Germany (obviously)
*The Netherlands (yeah)
*Australia (Yes, they're out)
*Italy
*Belgium
*Croatia
*Chile (The SA team I'm rooting for)
Also.. maybe England
Yes, I like Europe (the underdogs in a tournament played in South America)
Well.. we'll see what happens later on... changes are possible. I had Uruguay up there as well, but yeah, I wasn't feeling it. Also I dislike Luis Suarez more than Wayne Rooney, so yeah...
EDIT: Screw you, Italy! Way to ruin England's chances! AND disappoint (at least) TWO countries! Now England is out.. There is really nothing to play for in the Costa Rica vs. England game and the only exciting one is Italy vs. Uruguay. Still rooting for Italy. :) They only need a draw (thanks to goal difference), but heck, they won't get that if they don't get their act together. On a brighter note: Well done, Costa Rica! I was one of those who wrote them off before the tournament, but heck they're now the ones through. :) They've been amazing, so good for them!
Well... Since it's been already a week since the beginning of the World Cup, I guess I can break my silence. Obviously, I have been watching most of the matches (at least sort of) while trying to get my crap together and do some (very little) work.
Aaaannyyyyyway
-Already out: Spain, Australia, Cameroon. No surprise and yes, I mean Spain as well, although I did still think they could make it to the first knockout round and go out there (against Brazil). While doing my predictions I debated whether to put Chile or Spain through, but decided ultimately on Spain, because I had some (a little) faith in them. Now, I'm not sure they can beat even Australia. Actually, I'm rooting for Australia, who (despite being supposedly the weakest team of the tournament) showed a lot of spunk and spirit against the Netherlands and Chile. WAY more than Spain did. Spain's 1-5 defeat to the Netherlands was glorious. The Netherlands definitely displayed some awesome football, despite not having an incredibly strong team on paper (besides their world class offense). I'd have preferred Chile to also thrash Spain though just because of the Spain-Chile game in the previous World Cup. Thank goodness Spain's boring football is done early this time. In two games they manages to concede more goals than in their previous showings (2008,2010,2012) together and have only scored one goal... from a penalty that shouldn't have even been given. Ouch.
Do I feel sorry for them? A little, since it was pretty embarrassing especially against the Netherlands, BUT these guys have won pretty much everything on both club and international level, so... Not really. For the last match I'd hope for the coach to let other players get some playing time. Absolutely nothing is at stake (3 point or no points, their dignity is gone anyway) And maybe this is a starting point to bring in other players, who haven't won anything and have a lot more to prove. Also: A different style of football.
- The boring games: Until now, Japan against anyone and Iran vs. Nigeria (which got to be the first 0-0) Actually, I have nothing to say there. But these 0-0s are bringing the goal average down and there has been a surprising amount of goals already (though partly thanks to lopsided match-ups)
-Germany vs Portugal: So Germany opened with another 4-0. Yay! (I just hope this doesn't mean that it will be followed with a defeat). I'm sceptical about Germany's chances, because of injuries (well, mainly Reus) and the coach (gah), but not making it to the semis would be a massive failure for them, since they won't be facing any tough opponents before then (when they can go out against Brazil or whoever). Also yay for Müller's hat trick, unfortunately tainted by Pepe's silly antics that made even Müller look bad, because seriously, if Pepe hadn't been sent off (due to HIS OWN ACTIONS), nobody would give a rat's arse about Müller's theatrics. (That being said, it wasn't cool, but it's hardly the worst and there was a foul there anyway) I loved our pundits trying to pick out one German player... and then ultimately deciding that there are so many and that Germany's team is a cohesive group. Because yeah, football is a team sport, which brings me to...
-Those stars: I don't know, do people really love hearing about these hyped players?? And what is it with one day talking about how Messi is the best football player in the world and on another day it's CRon? I mean.. GAH! Can't it just be: They're both really great players, who can make a big difference, without bringing this whole "best player" into a frigging team sport. Besides, if you're going to talk about that, CRon is the one with the golden ball and whose team just won the Champions league. Anyway, I think Argentina has seemed to find a better balance with realising that football is team sport (and even Messi managed to score) whereas Portugal could probably benefit from resting (an injured) CRon and play more like a team.
-England's chances: I hadn't predict England to advance and normally I don't even like them, but now I'm kind of rooting for them?? I don't know.. They have played two good games, but have just fallen short and I think it would make things interesting, if everything came down to the last round. Hah. Besides, how awesome would it be to make such a comeback? England's only remaining chance is if Italy wins all their games and England beats Costa Rica. (Then it comes down to goal difference) If Italy loses or draws in any of their remaining games, England is done. Kind of funny that England fans now HAVE to root for Italy (or alternatively root for Italy's opponents to lose).
Sidenote: Malta's football fans are divided into Italy and England supporters, so at least for the following game, they're one! :)
-3 ex-Bayern coaches! I don't know, I just had to mention this. (btw. I always liked van Gaal and thought he pretty much laid the foundation for Bayern's future dominance)
-Predictions: Well... Obviously the Netherlands and Germany have looked the strongest and they're (yet again) my preferred final, but my prediction is still Brazil and Argentina, despite not wanting that at all (especially not Argentina) and despite neither looking that amazing. Germany is probably the strongest team in the tournament despite everything, but they'll end up screwing up somehow (darn it!) and while the Netherlands have started strong, they tend to run out of steam (well.. not really in 2010, so maybe I don't know..) Also, they haven't really been tested. Their first opponents were weak and Australia... Heck, they were almost evenly matched (well, not really, but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park). Now... the game against Chile will be something and will probably decide who has to face Brazil (Unfortunately van Persie can't play in that. DARN IT!!!)
-My faves:
*Germany (obviously)
*The Netherlands (yeah)
*Australia (Yes, they're out)
*Italy
*Belgium
*Croatia
*Chile (The SA team I'm rooting for)
Also.. maybe England
Yes, I like Europe (the underdogs in a tournament played in South America)
Well.. we'll see what happens later on... changes are possible. I had Uruguay up there as well, but yeah, I wasn't feeling it. Also I dislike Luis Suarez more than Wayne Rooney, so yeah...
EDIT: Screw you, Italy! Way to ruin England's chances! AND disappoint (at least) TWO countries! Now England is out.. There is really nothing to play for in the Costa Rica vs. England game and the only exciting one is Italy vs. Uruguay. Still rooting for Italy. :) They only need a draw (thanks to goal difference), but heck, they won't get that if they don't get their act together. On a brighter note: Well done, Costa Rica! I was one of those who wrote them off before the tournament, but heck they're now the ones through. :) They've been amazing, so good for them!