Comments | of_doom: the boys of summer.

of_doom

the boys of summer.

Jul 01, 2007 22:00

While the World Cup is a religious experience, and the Copa America and European Championship are grails in their own right, my favorite football competition is still the U-20 World Youth Championship. It's the tournament that made me into a football fan. I was devoted to the 2001 competition, and I've followed it ever since. It's a carnival of ( Read more... )

wee-tinies

Comments 18

stickmarionette July 2 2007, 03:18:17 UTC

I think we'll see more of the 2005 WYC bunch (especially defenders) as the 2010 WC gets closer, since much of our current senior team backline is not going to make that tournament.

From what I heard about the Argentina v Czech Republic match, the Czechs came out to defend and the mini-Argies simply couldn't find a way through. Good news is that the defence was solid.

I wonder why Spain didn't call up Bojan Krkic, since he played for them at the European U21 tournament. Still, they've got plenty of young talent to spare as always.

of_doom July 2 2007, 03:27:52 UTC

In terms of defensemen, I would really like to see Gonzalo make it, since he is immense. The only problem is injuries, but if he puts in a few good, solid seasons at Villarreal, I think he should be tapped to take Ayala's place. And it depends on who's coaching then, too. If Basile lasts that long, Samuel will probably play, since he's ex-Boca. Pfeh. The players from the 1997-2003 years are more skilled, which is my concern. None of the defenders really stood out in 2005. Paletta was a beast but more in terms of physicality than skill, and the ones I liked, Formica and Barroso, haven't even broke through at their clubs yet. That's never a good sign.

Well, Krkic will be available to the U-20s in 2009, so maybe they're saving him for then?

stickmarionette July 2 2007, 03:48:29 UTC

I feel really bad for Gonzalo. He was out all season and now he's going to miss at least 3 months of next season as well. Hopefully it won't continue and he'll be able to work his way into the NT in the next few years.

Ew, Samuel. He hasn't impressed me the last couple of times he's been called up. Hopefully Zabaleta will continue to get call-ups, since I'm quite fond of him.

Krkic is so young it kind of disturbs me.

of_doom July 2 2007, 03:53:44 UTC

Krkic is so young it kind of disturbs me.

Word. I was reading his Wikipedia and his goal count is astonishing.

I think Zabaleta had a chance when Pekerman was still in charge, but with Basile? Probably a long shot unless he does something really impressive in the next few years. With a healthy Maxi Rodriguez, I don't think he can break through that easily. :(

Thread 10

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of_doom July 2 2007, 04:13:35 UTC

The Nigerian fans are always ace! Do you remember the final from 2005? I genuinely felt awful for all of the Nigerian fans after their team lost, because they were so, so enthusiastic the whole time.

Oh, lucky! I was thinking of going to Ottawa since Canada is so close, but it really would have been quite expensive. Not the games themselves, but travel and lodging and food and everything. Depending on the teams, I might go to Toronto for the final, though! :D

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of_doom July 2 2007, 04:32:53 UTC

mostly young fangirls

Japanese fans take it to a whole new level, haha, judging by all of those preseason club trips we always see. >:D

I've heard a lot of good things about Canada's increasing love for football, from fanblogs and stuff. Do you think it's a mini-Germany effect where preparing for these competitions gets everyone excited? Or maybe other factors, hm. Either way, it's a great development.

Thread 6

isasolan July 2 2007, 04:37:22 UTC

I watched that Argie game. It was a VAST improvement of the horrible team that went to the Southamerican cup thingy back in uhmm february. VAST IMPROVEMENT. They really need a '9' player, imo... Kun, Maxi and Zarate never struck me as 'strikers', more like a '7' type of players. They created lots of situations but lacked that finishing touch that your typical 9 could handle. I think that was the only problem. Other than that, I was pretty pleased with the entire game (I think it's because the team in february really horrified me).

Capel is so good O.O Even before he scored, I was thinking how good he was. I'm glad Spain didn't lose. They are the other team I support, along with Argentina (my home country is in the world cup, poor boys, I sympathize with them but they have no chance).

of_doom July 2 2007, 04:50:01 UTC

I wish I could have seen some of that. Apparently they finished second, which doesn't seem so bad. I only watched a friendly with Canada a month or so ago, which had only two of the players that are at the WYC now. I'm just getting started on the first half, but they looked really good in the first five minutes, at least! :P I think they'll be able to score against the other two teams. The Czechs defended really, really well.

Which one is your home country? The only reason I got into the WYC in 2001 was because the Chinese team was playing pretty well, haha, but I'm grateful for that, even if the team didn't get as far as the media liked.

isasolan July 2 2007, 04:53:26 UTC

My country? It's Panama ¬¬ Today the newspapers were so excited because the tie with Korea was the first point EVER in a world cup ahahahaha xDDDDD

*does not know who to cheer for on tuesday*

of_doom July 2 2007, 04:57:41 UTC

Aw, well, good luck to your boys; they had to have qualified for some reason, right? ;_;

Thread 5

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of_doom July 2 2007, 06:05:20 UTC

Great, we can die together. *flail*

I mean, I'll watch the Argies any chance I get, but I guess the U-20s just occupy a really dear place in my heart.

Didn't get to see the Poland-Brazil match, but I'm still happy about the result! I remember really liking the mini-Mexies at the U-17 championship, so I can't wait to see all of the players on this (bigger) stage. :)