It's a Soccer Summer
Euro 08 remains going and we remain unable to keep up with it as we'd like. Such is life, we suppose. Portugal and the Netherlands are cleaning up. Portugal was expected, but Netherlands is a bit of a suprise. What's even more suprising is that France and Italy are not doing well at all.
France and Italy were the two finalists in the '06 cup, so the fact that they have a chance at not advancing is quite suprising. They play each other next and there's a bit of controversy surrounding it. For those that don't follow tournys we're sure you're not reading anymore, but I'm going to explain it anyway. Wins are 3 points, ties are 1, and losses are nothing. The Dutch have 6 points, France and Italy each have one and Romania has 2. Therefore, because of the relative strengths of the teams and point spread, it might be better for Netherland to throw the game. This would give Romania 5 points, and niether Italy nor France (arguably stronger teams) would advance. While Van Persing says that his team would not throw the game, oddsmakers are giving 25/1 odds on a loss with an own goal. Unheard of.
We here at Hooligan central are also quite unhappy with what's going on in the Premiere league at the moment. Portugal skipper Scolari has been hired on at Chelsea. Mostly we wouldn't care as we don't care for Chelsea, but here's the problem. Ronaldo is considering moving away from Man U next season, as seen in the WTF files for last week. Now, supposing he goes to his national team coach to get his view. Scolari then has a chance to move the best player in the league away from the team that is his biggest competition in the nation. You think he's not going to take the opportunity? At any rate, when the two teams meet on Sept 19th, it's going to be an interesting day.
On the US front, we're significantly happier with how we are doing. We tied Argentina and had some excellent play and chances, and this is the number one seed team in the world right now. We also played Barbados and won 8-0, but we always beat Barbados pretty handily.
Which brings us to the promised topic of last week: why the US are pretty well screwed. Landon Donovan is a decent player, he's got decent attacking skills and has a sense of the field. He's not brilliant, but he is good. HE recently got his 100th cap, which means that he has played in 100 games for the national team. He is the 4th youngest player ever to do so. Would you like to know who else just recently got his 100th cap? David Beckham, international soccer phenom and arguably one of the best players in the world. He has also been on the world stage for soccer for quite a bit longer than the amazing forehead. What this tells me is that England's national team has a great deal more depth of players and options than we do. Our talented player gets 100 caps in 6 years or so. Their phenom gets 100 caps in about 12. We're boned.
Now, for the funniest moment in a long while award, Tommy Smyth's commentary during one of the games last week.
Color Commentator: (during a lull in play) So who do you like in the NBA finals?
Tommy Smyth: (in his awesome Irish accent) I'm going to have to go with LA.
CC: Really? LA?
TS: Aye. I played for the Rangers, you really think that I could get away with rooting for any team that has "Celtic" in it?
Now, the reason this is funny: As you can probably tell, the Rangers and Celtic are rivals in the Scottish football league. Now, imagine if you will, the biggest rivalry in sports that you know. Multiply it by ten. Add in the scottish drinking habits. Then mixim in a large portion of sectarianism, as Celtic fans are generally Catholic and the Rangers are Protestant. Good times.
Next week: more on Euro, the Arsenal curse, and why the god of soccer must be named 'Ronald'