The Chisholm basketball program can be difficult to describe to an outsider. Nowhere else in Minnesota will you find the tradition and storied history found in this small town. A town pure from the transfer sagas of metros yet dynastic in it's dominance of the Iron Range over the years. With such great history comes a closeness of the characters involved whether they be fans, managers, coaches, or players. This closeness is like that of a family. Chisholm lost a member of it's family today.
Howard "Howie" Janesich passed away today. Howie had the distinction of being a player, coach, and play-by-play man for the broadcasts of the Chisholm games. He's been a staple in the program for a countless number of years, often volunteering his time to help coach the B team. I can't even begin to imagine the number of hours he put into helping the young men in the basketball program.
I am stricken with sadness over Howie's passing. He kept himself in tip-top shape whether it was walking or biking. I recall mowing the grass around the lake this past past summer and talking to Howie as he walked by. He always wore a smile on his face to greet me and I could tell he loved running into his former players. As a coach, he treated me with utmost respect. He knew our teams were capable of great things and wouldn't allow us to underachieve.
Broadcasts of Chisholm's games will certainly never be the same. Through the years both Chisholm and opposing teams in the area knew no other voice calling Chisholm games than Howie Janesich's. He rightly called himself the "Voice of the Bluestreaks". With color-man Tom Gornick, the two formed a duo that was both entertaining and informative. Us players were always interested in hearing some of the "old-school" phrases that Howie would utter during the course of the games.
Above all, I believe Howie tried to instill respect and honor in us. He was the first to let me know if my hair was getting long and the last to give us a break in workload. With Chisholm's full press strategy so dependent on fitness, I can certainly understand why. I distinctly remember the times that Howie would tell us about what being a Chisholm player was all about. It was a sense of honor and discipline that wasn't found in other programs in the area. This was what Howie tried to instill in us from 9th grade on.
The main reason I wanted to write this is to thank Howie for all the time he put into us. He volunteered his time simply because he loved the Chisholm program. It's not fair that someone who worked so hard to keep in shape gets unlucky with cancer. I know he fought as hard as he could. I am so proud that Howie got the chance to see his hard work pay off in the form of multiple successful seasons, including two trips to state for our team. I wish I could play one more year just to dedicate the season to him. He deserves it.
Rest in peace Howie. Thanks for all the good times. We'll miss you.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Brad Childress reveals true intentions.......
After years of head scratching decisions culminated in the release of Randy Moss a mere four weeks after trading for him, Brad Childress has finally revealed his decision making process to the fans.
"My initial intention when I got this job was to win a Super Bowl here in Minnesota, then I noticed that Los Angeles doesn't have a football team. Can you believe that? I knew I had to do everything in my power to fix this travesty. It's such a big market!"
Childress finds himself under fire after starting the season 2-5 despite having what on paper appears to be one of the most talented teams in the league. It appears that the tumultuous start to the season is no coincidence however.
"It's all part of the plan. I don't want to just hand wins away, but here and there I chip in to make sure we lose. Whether that means wasting time outs on bad challenges or wasting draft picks, I try my best."
Yet the Vikings have had some success under Childress, with multiple playoff appearances and a near Super Bowl berth. How did Childress explain that?
"Hey we have one hell of a team. They amazed me with their ability to win despite my best efforts to steer us down the tubes. Not that I mind it. I have to make sure we win just enough for me to keep my job."
It's thought that a relocation to LA is possible for the Vikings if they don't get a new stadium commisioned in Minnesota. The commision of the stadium is much less likely to occur if the team is struggling. Childress has had a series of decisions and incidents to make sure that the Vikings struggle. The latest incident is perhaps the most curious decision of the Childress era. Randy Moss was let go after just four weeks, after never being incorporated into the offense. Childress has said that even he didn't plan on this move.
"(Releasing him) wasn't my initial plan. Originally, I planned to just never incorporate him into the offense, and it was working, but then he called me out in a press conference. I can't tolerate anything like that. It's one thing for me to call out Brett Favre, but when someone does it to me, not ok."
So it appears that Childress is actually doing a really great job, providing you want to see football in LA county in the near future. Does Childress have any regrets for the ongoing suffering he heaps on Vikings fan?
"No not really. I have a cold heart, probably because of the cold weather. You know what can warm a cold heart? The hot sun of California!"
So there you have it, Childress isn't the dolt that Vikings fans believe him to be.
"My initial intention when I got this job was to win a Super Bowl here in Minnesota, then I noticed that Los Angeles doesn't have a football team. Can you believe that? I knew I had to do everything in my power to fix this travesty. It's such a big market!"
Childress finds himself under fire after starting the season 2-5 despite having what on paper appears to be one of the most talented teams in the league. It appears that the tumultuous start to the season is no coincidence however.
"It's all part of the plan. I don't want to just hand wins away, but here and there I chip in to make sure we lose. Whether that means wasting time outs on bad challenges or wasting draft picks, I try my best."
Yet the Vikings have had some success under Childress, with multiple playoff appearances and a near Super Bowl berth. How did Childress explain that?
"Hey we have one hell of a team. They amazed me with their ability to win despite my best efforts to steer us down the tubes. Not that I mind it. I have to make sure we win just enough for me to keep my job."
It's thought that a relocation to LA is possible for the Vikings if they don't get a new stadium commisioned in Minnesota. The commision of the stadium is much less likely to occur if the team is struggling. Childress has had a series of decisions and incidents to make sure that the Vikings struggle. The latest incident is perhaps the most curious decision of the Childress era. Randy Moss was let go after just four weeks, after never being incorporated into the offense. Childress has said that even he didn't plan on this move.
"(Releasing him) wasn't my initial plan. Originally, I planned to just never incorporate him into the offense, and it was working, but then he called me out in a press conference. I can't tolerate anything like that. It's one thing for me to call out Brett Favre, but when someone does it to me, not ok."
So it appears that Childress is actually doing a really great job, providing you want to see football in LA county in the near future. Does Childress have any regrets for the ongoing suffering he heaps on Vikings fan?
"No not really. I have a cold heart, probably because of the cold weather. You know what can warm a cold heart? The hot sun of California!"
So there you have it, Childress isn't the dolt that Vikings fans believe him to be.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Gigantic NBA Preview
Is it possible for the 2 time defending NBA champions to come into a season under the radar? Apparently yes. The Los Angeles Lakers didn't lose any of their core, actually added some valuable pieces, and still come into this season not only an underdog, but an afterthought. The Miami Heat conquered the headlines of the offseason, if only that counted for some NBA titles.
Lost in all the hoopla of the "The Debacle", I mean "The Decision", is the fact that the reigning champs quietly got better. Yes, Kobe won't be at full strength and Andrew Bynum's health is yet again in doubt. But the Lakers improved in the area they most needed to address, the bench. The Lakers bench had been getting by on it's reputation for years now. Gone are the days when Vujacic was a crunch time performer in the 2008 playoffs and Luke Walton could stay healthy. Even the headliner of the group, Lamar Odom, had become inconsistent for much of last season. Indeed, the myth of the Lakers bench being one of the best in the league needed to be put to bed, until now perhaps. Steve Blake and Matt Barnes were brought in to bolster the second line. Blake is a major upgrade at the back up point guard spot. His high basketball IQ and 3 point shooting will be a tremendous asset. Matt Barnes is yet another great perimeter defender added to what the Lakers already had in Kobe and Ron Artest. Add in an exciting rookie in Devin Ebanks and the Lake Show have ample resources at the 3 spot.
With Kobe recovering and Bynum out, the early season may be tougher than expected. Pau Gasol will be the one to pick up the slack. The Spaniard is the most skilled big man in the league. With questions of his toughness put behind him, he will continue to dazzle with his advanced skill set.
What would an NBA preview be without talking about the Miami Heat? Not only did they gain the most bandwagon fans in the league, they also added The Regular Season Warrior (Lebron) and The RuPaul of big men (Chris Bosh). Forget about how Lebron gave up on his team in the playoffs last year, stabbed the city of Cleveland in the heart on live TV, and gained motivation through twitter (For some reason a lot of the other greats like Kobe and Jordan found their own motivation). Forget all that stuff. He spent the offseason planning revenge, training non stop, prancing around on a stage like Miley Cyrus, and being walked around on a leash by Dwyane Wade. Oops, one of those statements isn't true, you decide. Also, forget about how Chris Bosh couldn't even lead his team to the playoffs in the weak East, has never played in a big game (unless you count the time Kobe dropped 81 on his team), and has no business being mentioned as one of the best power forwards in the league. Forget all that I tell you! Because despite all that, the Heat are going to be good. We don't know how good just yet, but we do know they'll be good.
Without further ado, my predictions:
MVP:
Kevin Durant
Lebron's ego trip blurred the news that Durant signed a new deal with the Thunder. Durant may become the best player in the league sooner than anyone imagined. With a young team that's improving rapidly, Durant is primed to win his second scoring title in a row, and first MVP award.
Rookie of the Year:
Blake Griffin
I know I'm not going out on a limb here, but Griffin is back and primed to take the honor he should've had last year. The Clippers will be much improved from last year with a core of Griffina and Eric Gordon. Griffin has impressed in pre-season and if he can survive the ghosts that haunt this franchise, he will be rookie of the year.
Most improved player:
Michael Beasley
Beasley's done all the right things since coming to Minnesota. A change of scenery might be all that he needed. He'll get the touches and the oppurtunities on a poor Timberwolves team and I expect big things from him.
Defensive player of the year:
Dwight Howard
The freak will be extra motivated by his new Floridian neighbors. Leading the league in rebound and blocks seems to be par for the course and should equal another DPOY.
Suprise team:
Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin is back, Eric Gordon spent the offseason improving with team USA, and the rest of the core is suprisingly good. The Clippers are always a little dysfunctional, but if they figure things out, they could raise some eyebrows.
Fall from Grace:
Phoenix Suns
The Suns overachieved just a little by reaching the Western Conference Finals last year, then spent the offseason waving good bye to Amare Stoudamire and overpaying for Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick. I don't see this team sneaking into the playoffs. Steve Nash is another year older and doesn't have the supporting cast of last year. Would I be suprised if he once again carried them to the playoffs? No. Do I see that happening? Also no.
Predicted Standing (by division):
Atlantic:
1. Boston
The Celtics have question marks surrounding their offseason moves, like, "Is Jermaine O'Neal still alive?", and, "Is that Shaq or the Michelin Tire Man?", but I think their aging core has enough in the tank for one more year. Oh, and the Atlantic division is not particularly good.
2. New York
Reuniting Amare with Mike D'Antoni's run and gun style was a masterstroke, but do they have the point guard for the system? Ray Felton was brought in, but time will tell if he's the right fit. Youngster Anthony Randolph has been getting a lot of buzz as well and Danilo Gallinari is the sharp-shooter this group needs. A return to the playoffs is in store for the New York faithful.
3. New Jersey
The Nyets and their crazy Russian owner will not be the laughing stock of the league this year. With one of the best young centers in the league in Brook Lopez and a young core to complement him, the Nets will be one of the most improved teams in the league.
4. Philadelphia
The Sixers are a young team but have some talent. Andre Iguodala is the teams default superstar, which isn't a good sign. Jrue Holiday was one of the most suprising rookies last year and should continue to improve. Evan Turner was a disaster in the pre-season, but surely he can't be THAT bad right? Elton Brand is a shell of his former self. Ultimately, it may be a long winter in Philly.
5. Toronto
Chris Bosh is gone. In retrospect they should've probably traded him before he left for free, but what's done is done. What's left is one of the worst teams in the league on paper. They paid big for Amir Johnson, yet no one is sure why. Demar Derozan might emerge as the star of the team, but other than that, Toronto may want to focus on their other sports franchises this year.
Central:
1. Chicago
The Bulls may have missed out of Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, but they still improved on an already good squad. Carlos Boozer doesn't have the star calibre of the 3 above mentioned players, but he's a good fit at the PF spot alongside the hard working Joachim Noah. Derrick Rose may not be quite as good as his reputation would have us believe, but he's still a great point guard and will lead this team to good things.
2. Milwaukee
One of my favorite teams to watch. Brandon Jennings was a revelation at point guard and will continue to develop into one of the best players in the East at his position. Andrew Bogut is back from his unfortunate injury and John Salmons returns with his "instant offense". The Bucks are a team on the rise and will be in the mix come playoff team.
3. Indiana
The Pacers are led by Danny Granger, a deadly long range shooter. Darren Collison is a player I've kept an eye on for awhile and will be a great upgrade at the point guard spot. The rest of the squad won't wow you but they have some pieces to at least stay in games.
4. Detroit
The Pistons are a mess. Hamilton, Prince, and Ben Wallace are well past their expiration date. Rodney Stuckey can at least give some hope at the point guard spot, but this will be a bad year for Detroit.
5. Cleveland
Poor Cavaliers. It will take years to pry that dagger from their hearts. Mo Williams will take over as the primary scorer, and that's not a good thing. This team will struggle. The most fun Cleveland fans will have this year is booing Lebron's every move.
Southeast:
1. Miami
I've already gone over the Heat above. They have too much talent to fail. With the Magic being their only contender in the dismal Southeast, they will rack up a gaudy record.
2. Orlando
The Magic are a talented squad and you have to believe they are motivated by what happened with their southern neighbors. Hopefully Dwight Howard spent the offseason working on some form of a post move.
3. Atlanta
The Hawks are in no mans land. They're good enough to get a 4 or 5 seed, but not good enough to beat the best teams come playoff time. This won't change anytime soon as they paid Joe Johnson more than any other free agent in the offseason. Enjoy your mediocrity Atlanta!
4. Washington
The Wiz will at least be exciting. John Wall is an electifying athlete that may also be in the mix for rookie of the year. If Gilbert Arenas leaves his crazy (and his guns) at the door, he could return to his past form. Javale Mcgee will be one of the most improved players in the league and is a good building block along with Wall.
5. Charlotte
Like Atlanta, in no mans land, but at least they're bad enough to get a good draft pick. Yes, they made the playoffs last year, but don't expect a repeat, though Gerald Wallace is one of the most underrated players in the league. Keep an eye on Shaun Livingston making a comeback from a devastating leg injury as well.
Southwest
1. Dallas
The Mavs were disappointing come playoff time and will look to come back strong this year. Jason Kidd is another year older, but Roddy Beaubois will be an exciting back up. Dirk Nowitzki will continue to add to his hall of fame resume. The bench is one of the best in the league with Jason Terry and Tyson Chandler.
2. Houston
The Rockets are primed for a good year. Luis Scola was one of the best players at the FIBA world championships this summer and will look to continue that form. Yao is back but his minutes will be limited. Kevin Martin is a sharp-shooter and the Battier is still one of the best defenders in the league.
3. San Antionio
Is this the year the aging Spurs show signs of regression? I think so. Tim Duncan is noticeably slowing down, Ginobili can't stay healthy, and Parker was being shopped around this summer. Look out for Tiago Splitter, the rookie big man from Brazil, to open some eyes though.
4. Memphis
The Griz were suprisingly good last year. I expect about the same this year. Rudy Gay got a massive contract to stay. Marc Gasol is a burlier version of his brother and OJ Mayo provides the scoring for this upstart.
5. New Orleans
Chris Paul won't be in NO for long. This team has a mess with contracts and will have a hard time improving. Marcus Thornton had a great rookie year though and is a player to watch.
Northwest
1. Oklahoma City
Kevin Durant is ready to stake a claim as the best player in the game and has a young core to help him stake a claim as one of the best teams in the league. Serge Ibaka is an exciting young big man with explosiveness, while Russell Westbrook is one of the league's best young point guards. This team is one for the future and the present.
2. Utah
The Jazz lost Boozer, but still got better. Al Jefferson is a better low post scorer than Boozer and is was acquired for peanuts. Deron Williams is finally getting respect for being a top 3 point guard in the league. Expect good things from the Jazz.
3. Denver
The Carmelo situation has to be weighing on the minds of this team. They have a lot of talent, but were already somewhat combustible. Ty Lawson will be an exciting player this year as Billups will get more rest.
4. Portland
This division is stacked, so we find Portand down at number 4. I still think they will make the playoffs, however. The Blazers have one of the league's best fan bases and with Brandon Roy, a premier playmaker as well. The Greg Oden situation will be one to follow, as this team's center situation is murky.
5. Minnesota
The Timberwolves might be better than last year, but in this division they don't stand a chance. Head scratching offseason moves, like signing Ridnour, overpaying Milicic, having about a million small forwards, etc. damper the rebuilding optimism. Michael Beasley should be a shining light on this squad, but last place and a high draft pick is the best this team can achieve this year.
Pacific
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The defending champs were covered above, but we gotta think Kobe and Co. are motivated by the happenings out east right?
2. Los Angeles Clippers
It's an LA dominated Pacific this year. Griffin is back and joined by Eric Gordon to form a great young 1-2 combo. They're joined by Baron Davis and Chris Kaman for a solid squad.
3. Sacramento
I picked the Kings ahead of the Suns because I like the potential this team has. Tyreke Evans can get to the rim at will and is joined by Demarcus Cousins. Cousins has drawn rave reviews in the preseason, and the combo with Evans should be intriguing. They're joined by Omri Casspi, the best Israeli basketball player I can think of. This team will be improved, and may turn some heads.
4. Phoenix
My bold predictoin above translates to 4th in the pacific. Nash can make ordinary players good, but I don't see that happening without Stoudamire around. I normally don't bet against Nash, but at 36 he's gotta slow down someday right?
5. Golden State
The Warriors play the worst defense in the league, and added a bad defender in David Lee this offseason. At least they're addressing needs (not). Monta Ellis is fun for a bit, until he jacks up stupid shots time and time again. This will only hurt Stephen Curry's progress. Curry is a player to watch as he's proven he can play the point at a pro level.
Lost in all the hoopla of the "The Debacle", I mean "The Decision", is the fact that the reigning champs quietly got better. Yes, Kobe won't be at full strength and Andrew Bynum's health is yet again in doubt. But the Lakers improved in the area they most needed to address, the bench. The Lakers bench had been getting by on it's reputation for years now. Gone are the days when Vujacic was a crunch time performer in the 2008 playoffs and Luke Walton could stay healthy. Even the headliner of the group, Lamar Odom, had become inconsistent for much of last season. Indeed, the myth of the Lakers bench being one of the best in the league needed to be put to bed, until now perhaps. Steve Blake and Matt Barnes were brought in to bolster the second line. Blake is a major upgrade at the back up point guard spot. His high basketball IQ and 3 point shooting will be a tremendous asset. Matt Barnes is yet another great perimeter defender added to what the Lakers already had in Kobe and Ron Artest. Add in an exciting rookie in Devin Ebanks and the Lake Show have ample resources at the 3 spot.
With Kobe recovering and Bynum out, the early season may be tougher than expected. Pau Gasol will be the one to pick up the slack. The Spaniard is the most skilled big man in the league. With questions of his toughness put behind him, he will continue to dazzle with his advanced skill set.
What would an NBA preview be without talking about the Miami Heat? Not only did they gain the most bandwagon fans in the league, they also added The Regular Season Warrior (Lebron) and The RuPaul of big men (Chris Bosh). Forget about how Lebron gave up on his team in the playoffs last year, stabbed the city of Cleveland in the heart on live TV, and gained motivation through twitter (For some reason a lot of the other greats like Kobe and Jordan found their own motivation). Forget all that stuff. He spent the offseason planning revenge, training non stop, prancing around on a stage like Miley Cyrus, and being walked around on a leash by Dwyane Wade. Oops, one of those statements isn't true, you decide. Also, forget about how Chris Bosh couldn't even lead his team to the playoffs in the weak East, has never played in a big game (unless you count the time Kobe dropped 81 on his team), and has no business being mentioned as one of the best power forwards in the league. Forget all that I tell you! Because despite all that, the Heat are going to be good. We don't know how good just yet, but we do know they'll be good.
Without further ado, my predictions:
MVP:
Kevin Durant
Lebron's ego trip blurred the news that Durant signed a new deal with the Thunder. Durant may become the best player in the league sooner than anyone imagined. With a young team that's improving rapidly, Durant is primed to win his second scoring title in a row, and first MVP award.
Rookie of the Year:
Blake Griffin
I know I'm not going out on a limb here, but Griffin is back and primed to take the honor he should've had last year. The Clippers will be much improved from last year with a core of Griffina and Eric Gordon. Griffin has impressed in pre-season and if he can survive the ghosts that haunt this franchise, he will be rookie of the year.
Most improved player:
Michael Beasley
Beasley's done all the right things since coming to Minnesota. A change of scenery might be all that he needed. He'll get the touches and the oppurtunities on a poor Timberwolves team and I expect big things from him.
Defensive player of the year:
Dwight Howard
The freak will be extra motivated by his new Floridian neighbors. Leading the league in rebound and blocks seems to be par for the course and should equal another DPOY.
Suprise team:
Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin is back, Eric Gordon spent the offseason improving with team USA, and the rest of the core is suprisingly good. The Clippers are always a little dysfunctional, but if they figure things out, they could raise some eyebrows.
Fall from Grace:
Phoenix Suns
The Suns overachieved just a little by reaching the Western Conference Finals last year, then spent the offseason waving good bye to Amare Stoudamire and overpaying for Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick. I don't see this team sneaking into the playoffs. Steve Nash is another year older and doesn't have the supporting cast of last year. Would I be suprised if he once again carried them to the playoffs? No. Do I see that happening? Also no.
Predicted Standing (by division):
Atlantic:
1. Boston
The Celtics have question marks surrounding their offseason moves, like, "Is Jermaine O'Neal still alive?", and, "Is that Shaq or the Michelin Tire Man?", but I think their aging core has enough in the tank for one more year. Oh, and the Atlantic division is not particularly good.
2. New York
Reuniting Amare with Mike D'Antoni's run and gun style was a masterstroke, but do they have the point guard for the system? Ray Felton was brought in, but time will tell if he's the right fit. Youngster Anthony Randolph has been getting a lot of buzz as well and Danilo Gallinari is the sharp-shooter this group needs. A return to the playoffs is in store for the New York faithful.
3. New Jersey
The Nyets and their crazy Russian owner will not be the laughing stock of the league this year. With one of the best young centers in the league in Brook Lopez and a young core to complement him, the Nets will be one of the most improved teams in the league.
4. Philadelphia
The Sixers are a young team but have some talent. Andre Iguodala is the teams default superstar, which isn't a good sign. Jrue Holiday was one of the most suprising rookies last year and should continue to improve. Evan Turner was a disaster in the pre-season, but surely he can't be THAT bad right? Elton Brand is a shell of his former self. Ultimately, it may be a long winter in Philly.
5. Toronto
Chris Bosh is gone. In retrospect they should've probably traded him before he left for free, but what's done is done. What's left is one of the worst teams in the league on paper. They paid big for Amir Johnson, yet no one is sure why. Demar Derozan might emerge as the star of the team, but other than that, Toronto may want to focus on their other sports franchises this year.
Central:
1. Chicago
The Bulls may have missed out of Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, but they still improved on an already good squad. Carlos Boozer doesn't have the star calibre of the 3 above mentioned players, but he's a good fit at the PF spot alongside the hard working Joachim Noah. Derrick Rose may not be quite as good as his reputation would have us believe, but he's still a great point guard and will lead this team to good things.
2. Milwaukee
One of my favorite teams to watch. Brandon Jennings was a revelation at point guard and will continue to develop into one of the best players in the East at his position. Andrew Bogut is back from his unfortunate injury and John Salmons returns with his "instant offense". The Bucks are a team on the rise and will be in the mix come playoff team.
3. Indiana
The Pacers are led by Danny Granger, a deadly long range shooter. Darren Collison is a player I've kept an eye on for awhile and will be a great upgrade at the point guard spot. The rest of the squad won't wow you but they have some pieces to at least stay in games.
4. Detroit
The Pistons are a mess. Hamilton, Prince, and Ben Wallace are well past their expiration date. Rodney Stuckey can at least give some hope at the point guard spot, but this will be a bad year for Detroit.
5. Cleveland
Poor Cavaliers. It will take years to pry that dagger from their hearts. Mo Williams will take over as the primary scorer, and that's not a good thing. This team will struggle. The most fun Cleveland fans will have this year is booing Lebron's every move.
Southeast:
1. Miami
I've already gone over the Heat above. They have too much talent to fail. With the Magic being their only contender in the dismal Southeast, they will rack up a gaudy record.
2. Orlando
The Magic are a talented squad and you have to believe they are motivated by what happened with their southern neighbors. Hopefully Dwight Howard spent the offseason working on some form of a post move.
3. Atlanta
The Hawks are in no mans land. They're good enough to get a 4 or 5 seed, but not good enough to beat the best teams come playoff time. This won't change anytime soon as they paid Joe Johnson more than any other free agent in the offseason. Enjoy your mediocrity Atlanta!
4. Washington
The Wiz will at least be exciting. John Wall is an electifying athlete that may also be in the mix for rookie of the year. If Gilbert Arenas leaves his crazy (and his guns) at the door, he could return to his past form. Javale Mcgee will be one of the most improved players in the league and is a good building block along with Wall.
5. Charlotte
Like Atlanta, in no mans land, but at least they're bad enough to get a good draft pick. Yes, they made the playoffs last year, but don't expect a repeat, though Gerald Wallace is one of the most underrated players in the league. Keep an eye on Shaun Livingston making a comeback from a devastating leg injury as well.
Southwest
1. Dallas
The Mavs were disappointing come playoff time and will look to come back strong this year. Jason Kidd is another year older, but Roddy Beaubois will be an exciting back up. Dirk Nowitzki will continue to add to his hall of fame resume. The bench is one of the best in the league with Jason Terry and Tyson Chandler.
2. Houston
The Rockets are primed for a good year. Luis Scola was one of the best players at the FIBA world championships this summer and will look to continue that form. Yao is back but his minutes will be limited. Kevin Martin is a sharp-shooter and the Battier is still one of the best defenders in the league.
3. San Antionio
Is this the year the aging Spurs show signs of regression? I think so. Tim Duncan is noticeably slowing down, Ginobili can't stay healthy, and Parker was being shopped around this summer. Look out for Tiago Splitter, the rookie big man from Brazil, to open some eyes though.
4. Memphis
The Griz were suprisingly good last year. I expect about the same this year. Rudy Gay got a massive contract to stay. Marc Gasol is a burlier version of his brother and OJ Mayo provides the scoring for this upstart.
5. New Orleans
Chris Paul won't be in NO for long. This team has a mess with contracts and will have a hard time improving. Marcus Thornton had a great rookie year though and is a player to watch.
Northwest
1. Oklahoma City
Kevin Durant is ready to stake a claim as the best player in the game and has a young core to help him stake a claim as one of the best teams in the league. Serge Ibaka is an exciting young big man with explosiveness, while Russell Westbrook is one of the league's best young point guards. This team is one for the future and the present.
2. Utah
The Jazz lost Boozer, but still got better. Al Jefferson is a better low post scorer than Boozer and is was acquired for peanuts. Deron Williams is finally getting respect for being a top 3 point guard in the league. Expect good things from the Jazz.
3. Denver
The Carmelo situation has to be weighing on the minds of this team. They have a lot of talent, but were already somewhat combustible. Ty Lawson will be an exciting player this year as Billups will get more rest.
4. Portland
This division is stacked, so we find Portand down at number 4. I still think they will make the playoffs, however. The Blazers have one of the league's best fan bases and with Brandon Roy, a premier playmaker as well. The Greg Oden situation will be one to follow, as this team's center situation is murky.
5. Minnesota
The Timberwolves might be better than last year, but in this division they don't stand a chance. Head scratching offseason moves, like signing Ridnour, overpaying Milicic, having about a million small forwards, etc. damper the rebuilding optimism. Michael Beasley should be a shining light on this squad, but last place and a high draft pick is the best this team can achieve this year.
Pacific
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The defending champs were covered above, but we gotta think Kobe and Co. are motivated by the happenings out east right?
2. Los Angeles Clippers
It's an LA dominated Pacific this year. Griffin is back and joined by Eric Gordon to form a great young 1-2 combo. They're joined by Baron Davis and Chris Kaman for a solid squad.
3. Sacramento
I picked the Kings ahead of the Suns because I like the potential this team has. Tyreke Evans can get to the rim at will and is joined by Demarcus Cousins. Cousins has drawn rave reviews in the preseason, and the combo with Evans should be intriguing. They're joined by Omri Casspi, the best Israeli basketball player I can think of. This team will be improved, and may turn some heads.
4. Phoenix
My bold predictoin above translates to 4th in the pacific. Nash can make ordinary players good, but I don't see that happening without Stoudamire around. I normally don't bet against Nash, but at 36 he's gotta slow down someday right?
5. Golden State
The Warriors play the worst defense in the league, and added a bad defender in David Lee this offseason. At least they're addressing needs (not). Monta Ellis is fun for a bit, until he jacks up stupid shots time and time again. This will only hurt Stephen Curry's progress. Curry is a player to watch as he's proven he can play the point at a pro level.
Friday, October 8, 2010
There and Back Again: A Randy Moss Tale
A few weeks ago the Vikings were 0-2. In an effort to get this out of my mind I began to think about the offseason. No, I hadn't given up on the season already. I wrote that it was far too early to judge this team around that time in fact. I was just excited about some of the free agents that might be available this offseason. With this (apparently) being Favre's last season, and Michael Vick lighting up the league, can you blame me for dreaming of getting him in the purple and gold next year? Vick wasn't the only player I dreamt of. One Randy Moss was in the last year of his contract. It was just a pipe-dream at the time, something that would never happen, but hey wouldn't it be great to see my childhood hero return? I didn't know if he wanted to come back, or if the Vikings wanted him back, it was just a dream. I planned to write about picking up Vick, Moss, or even McNabb once the season was over.
A week ago, out of nowhere I decided I wanted a Randy Moss jersey. My old Randy Moss jersey resembled one of those pink women's jerseys because it had been washed so much. It was also a couple sizes too small. So I went on eBay to browse for a new one. There were plenty, so I decided I would get one eventually. Heck it wasn't like Randy Moss Viking jerseys were going out of fashion, since they already were out of fashion.
A day ago, Randy Moss spoke to the media for the first time since officially being traded here. When I first heard the rumors, I was hesitantly excited. I texted a bunch of people just to tell them how much I would love this move. I hoped that it wasn't just a rumor. Then, Wednesday morning, I woke up to the good news. It was official. Moss was a Viking again. It takes quite a bit to make me put a Twins playoff game in the back of my mind, but Moss has that ability. No player captured my imagination quite like Moss. I wrote extensively about the 1998 season in the past, but never really mentioned how big a fan of Moss I was. I remember the Thanksgiving game of '98 against the Cowboys. That was definitely the point where we realized that this guy was like nothing we'd ever seen. We went from saying, "he might become the best receiver in the NFL", to, "he already is the best receiver in the NFL". The combination of speed, size, and hands was a nightmare to any defensive back. Cunningham to Moss will go down as my favorite duo of all time.
It took me years to forgive the Vikings for trading Moss. Whether I like it or not Moss can do no wrong in my book. I'm admittedly blind in my devotion. I loved the water bottle squirting, fake mooning, etc. I defended him the times he seemed to give up on the team and the legal issues he got into. I couldn't help it then and I can't help it now. I'm a Moss fanatic.
This is not just about my favorite player of all time returning, but also a significant part of my childhood returning. Whether I like it or not, I am a nostalgic person. Moss represents a return to some of my favorite sports memories from my youth. That first long bomb to Moss for a touchdown will bring me back to the magic of '98. The ironic part of that is that no matter how painful '98 was, it's also the year with my best memories as a Vikings fan.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm very high on this move. Hearing Moss say all the right things in his first press conference made my day. His repeated use of the word "home" to describe Minnesota affirms what I believed the whole time, that he never wanted to leave here. Welcome home Randy, if it's just this one season, let's make it memorable.
A week ago, out of nowhere I decided I wanted a Randy Moss jersey. My old Randy Moss jersey resembled one of those pink women's jerseys because it had been washed so much. It was also a couple sizes too small. So I went on eBay to browse for a new one. There were plenty, so I decided I would get one eventually. Heck it wasn't like Randy Moss Viking jerseys were going out of fashion, since they already were out of fashion.
A day ago, Randy Moss spoke to the media for the first time since officially being traded here. When I first heard the rumors, I was hesitantly excited. I texted a bunch of people just to tell them how much I would love this move. I hoped that it wasn't just a rumor. Then, Wednesday morning, I woke up to the good news. It was official. Moss was a Viking again. It takes quite a bit to make me put a Twins playoff game in the back of my mind, but Moss has that ability. No player captured my imagination quite like Moss. I wrote extensively about the 1998 season in the past, but never really mentioned how big a fan of Moss I was. I remember the Thanksgiving game of '98 against the Cowboys. That was definitely the point where we realized that this guy was like nothing we'd ever seen. We went from saying, "he might become the best receiver in the NFL", to, "he already is the best receiver in the NFL". The combination of speed, size, and hands was a nightmare to any defensive back. Cunningham to Moss will go down as my favorite duo of all time.
It took me years to forgive the Vikings for trading Moss. Whether I like it or not Moss can do no wrong in my book. I'm admittedly blind in my devotion. I loved the water bottle squirting, fake mooning, etc. I defended him the times he seemed to give up on the team and the legal issues he got into. I couldn't help it then and I can't help it now. I'm a Moss fanatic.
This is not just about my favorite player of all time returning, but also a significant part of my childhood returning. Whether I like it or not, I am a nostalgic person. Moss represents a return to some of my favorite sports memories from my youth. That first long bomb to Moss for a touchdown will bring me back to the magic of '98. The ironic part of that is that no matter how painful '98 was, it's also the year with my best memories as a Vikings fan.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm very high on this move. Hearing Moss say all the right things in his first press conference made my day. His repeated use of the word "home" to describe Minnesota affirms what I believed the whole time, that he never wanted to leave here. Welcome home Randy, if it's just this one season, let's make it memorable.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Football in Minnesota in a dire state?
The two premier football teams in Minnesota, the Gophers and the Vikings, lost this weekend. Minnesota is notoriously fickle when it comes to football, one loss and we think the sky is falling. Is it too early for such conclusions?
For the U of M, losing to South Dakota is nothing short of embarrassing. The worst part of it is that I'm not at all suprised. The Gophers probably should've lost to SDSU last year. Losing to SD is an upset in name value alone. Perhaps I have my expectations set too high for my alma mater. We build a gorgeous stadium, interest in the team is high, and we expect the team to be worthy of such a grand structure. Unfortunately, that's nowhere near the case. After a loss like this you start to look at the upcoming games and wonder where the wins will come from. I don't think anyone can envision the Gophers beating USC, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, or Iowa. That's 6 losses total right there. Add in iffy games like Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois and we may be in for a very long year. Even the game against Northern Illinois isn't a guarenteed win at this point. At the very least, I think most Gopher fans expect a bowl appearance. Sure the Who Cares Bowl isn't anything to brag about, but it's the least the team can do. Even that might be a stretch this year.
So is it too early to sound the alarm in the Gophers case? Absolutely not.
The Vikings, on the other hand, are an entirely different story. Losing to the Saints felt like a much bigger deal than it actually was. A lot of emotion goes into playing a rival like that, but remember it was just one game. Still, I have my reservations. Injuries and rustiness can be partly to blame but the cohesion just wasn't there.
The laundry list of problems is a long one. Favre looked like he spent most of the offseason lounging in Mississippi (oh he was doing that? Ohhhhhh....), Harvin looked like he wasn't on the same planet as Favre, Childress forgot that he had Adrian Peterson on his team, Berrian does a really bad Sidney Rice impression, and the secondary's bend-not-break approach to coverage doesn't soothe anyone's fears. Luckily, much of these issues can be solved. As much as it peeves me, Favre will play himself into game shape. Harvin and he will develop chemistry over time. AP will hopefully introduce himself to Coach Childress before next week. Yet all of these are not foregone conclusions. Favre is another year older with a gimp leg coming off perhaps the best year of his career. We can't possibly expect a year like last year from him. Harvin played slot last year. Maybe he's just not as effective as a wide-out. Childress is......frustrating. I am the last person to blame a coach for the problems of a team, but he just seems out of his depth at times. Very similar to Mike Tice. You know how much you dislike Chilly when you have AP on your fantasy team. For stretches they will get away from the run for no apparent reason. We weren't in a situation where we needed to score fast with the pass. The Saints seemed to get this memo. They passed the ball the whole first first only to wear down our D with Pierre Thomas in the second half. There was no better time than the second half to establish the run, yet time after time Childress had Favre drop back.
Of course the Vikings were always going to stutter a little bit while they wait for injured players to return. Sidney Rice will give us that extra dimension we need, Ced Griffin will relieve some of the secondary concerns. Yet will it be too late? The Packers aren't going away anytime soon and could have a big lead on us if we don't get our act together. Only time will tell, another game may give us some answers.
So is it too early to panic? Yes, it was a game against the defending champs and for all our concerns, we still nearly won. Still, we're in need of a good game on Sunday to alleviate some of the fears.
For the U of M, losing to South Dakota is nothing short of embarrassing. The worst part of it is that I'm not at all suprised. The Gophers probably should've lost to SDSU last year. Losing to SD is an upset in name value alone. Perhaps I have my expectations set too high for my alma mater. We build a gorgeous stadium, interest in the team is high, and we expect the team to be worthy of such a grand structure. Unfortunately, that's nowhere near the case. After a loss like this you start to look at the upcoming games and wonder where the wins will come from. I don't think anyone can envision the Gophers beating USC, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, or Iowa. That's 6 losses total right there. Add in iffy games like Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois and we may be in for a very long year. Even the game against Northern Illinois isn't a guarenteed win at this point. At the very least, I think most Gopher fans expect a bowl appearance. Sure the Who Cares Bowl isn't anything to brag about, but it's the least the team can do. Even that might be a stretch this year.
So is it too early to sound the alarm in the Gophers case? Absolutely not.
The Vikings, on the other hand, are an entirely different story. Losing to the Saints felt like a much bigger deal than it actually was. A lot of emotion goes into playing a rival like that, but remember it was just one game. Still, I have my reservations. Injuries and rustiness can be partly to blame but the cohesion just wasn't there.
The laundry list of problems is a long one. Favre looked like he spent most of the offseason lounging in Mississippi (oh he was doing that? Ohhhhhh....), Harvin looked like he wasn't on the same planet as Favre, Childress forgot that he had Adrian Peterson on his team, Berrian does a really bad Sidney Rice impression, and the secondary's bend-not-break approach to coverage doesn't soothe anyone's fears. Luckily, much of these issues can be solved. As much as it peeves me, Favre will play himself into game shape. Harvin and he will develop chemistry over time. AP will hopefully introduce himself to Coach Childress before next week. Yet all of these are not foregone conclusions. Favre is another year older with a gimp leg coming off perhaps the best year of his career. We can't possibly expect a year like last year from him. Harvin played slot last year. Maybe he's just not as effective as a wide-out. Childress is......frustrating. I am the last person to blame a coach for the problems of a team, but he just seems out of his depth at times. Very similar to Mike Tice. You know how much you dislike Chilly when you have AP on your fantasy team. For stretches they will get away from the run for no apparent reason. We weren't in a situation where we needed to score fast with the pass. The Saints seemed to get this memo. They passed the ball the whole first first only to wear down our D with Pierre Thomas in the second half. There was no better time than the second half to establish the run, yet time after time Childress had Favre drop back.
Of course the Vikings were always going to stutter a little bit while they wait for injured players to return. Sidney Rice will give us that extra dimension we need, Ced Griffin will relieve some of the secondary concerns. Yet will it be too late? The Packers aren't going away anytime soon and could have a big lead on us if we don't get our act together. Only time will tell, another game may give us some answers.
So is it too early to panic? Yes, it was a game against the defending champs and for all our concerns, we still nearly won. Still, we're in need of a good game on Sunday to alleviate some of the fears.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Best and Worst of 2010 World Cup
Best individual performance:
Diego Forlan
Fans of European club soccer knew that Forlan was among the best goal scorers in the world, but Forlan formally introduced himself to the rest of the world in South Africa. He tied for top scorer with 5 goals and was the lynch pin for a Uruguay side that punched above its weight to finish 4th.
Worst individual performace:
Wayne Rooney
How do zero goals, zero assists, barely a shot, and no impact whatsoever sound? Multiply that by 10 because Rooney is supposed to be one of the top 5 players in the world AT LEAST. He is certainly not the only reason for England's lacklustre campaign, but you expect more from a player of this quality.
Best moment:
Tshabalala's opening goal for South Africa
Opening game against Mexico, raucous home crowd, first world cup game in Africa, and Tshabalala latches onto the end of a through ball to perfectly rocket the ball into the corner of the net. Africa was rocking to the beat of the Bafana Bafana. Sure they ended up drawing that game, and didn't make the knockout stage, but for a brief moment, Tshabalala put South Africa on top of the world.
Worst ref:
Coulibaly (USA-Slovenia)
Blaming the ref is one of sport's oldest excuses, but come on now, this Malian was bad. The world may never know why Maurice Edu's go ahead goal against Slovenia was disallowed. Was it the multiple fouls committed against USA players in the box? Because he also missed those. There was also an offside goal earlier which was disallowed. Overall a terrible game for Coulibaly, and this will do nothing to dispel American's feelings that refs are out to get them on the world stage.
Worst diver:
Andres Iniesta
There were multiple candidates for this most prestigious award, including drame queens such as Arjen Robben, C. Ronaldo, and nearly the entire Spanish team. To be fair to these guys, diving is part of the game and nearly everyone does it. Iniesta is my pick of the litter however, simply because every time he touched the ball in the final, his body found the ground. Sure the Dutch set out to kick them off the field, but the Spaniard's embelishment didn't help matters, and they were never punished for it. Iniesta's dive to get Heitinga sent off was dubious indeed, even though the ref needs to share part of the blame as he was completely fooled.
Most clutch performance:
Luis Suarez
He made the save of the tournament, one which gave Uruguay a dim hope at advancing, but without it there was no hope whatsoever. He may be scrutinized, but that's a bit unfair as he did what every other footballer would do with a semi final spot on the line. He did his best Tim Howard impression and lets be honest, if Gyan did what he was supposed to do, this wouldn't even be remembered. As it stands, Suarez' quick thinking was undeniably a clutch (although morally questionable) decision that will live on in World Cup folk lore.
Biggest cheat:
Luis Suarez
He made the save of the tournament, except he's not a goalkeeper. Cynics will always claim that the red card given to Suarez along with a penalty is not enough. They'll say that a goal should just be given in such a circumstance. As it stands, Suarez found a way to beat the system, and it only really paid off because Gyan clanked the penalty off the bar. Still, Suarez is a polarizing figure who is both loved and hated equally for his action. One thing is for sure, he may not want to return to Africa again.
Biggest heartbreak:
Gyan's penalty miss with Africa's hopes on his shoulders
This was like nothing I've ever seen. It wasn't just one country's hopes but the whole host continent was on his shoulders. He had put away penalties against Germany and Serbia earlier in the tournament, but shanked the most important one he'll likely ever take. Even though I was bitter about Ghan beating the US, this was incredibly painful to see. We also must say that he manned up and cooly put home the first penalty in the shootout to somewhat redeem himself. Africa won't soon forget the penalty which broke their hearts.
Worst stadium:
Mandela Bay Stadium
This is the World Cup, why are they playing semi final matches on a dirt patch? To think this monstrosity of a field is named after one of the most inspirational figures in our lifetime. Even from the start the field wasn't up to par with the high standard which is to be expected. This wasn't the only pitch that was torn up, but it was certainly the worst.
Best stadium:
Soccer City
The pitch still had it's nicks, but overrall Soccer City was a splendid surface. The outside design was beautiful to the eye as well. By all accounts this was a worthy centerpiece to the tournament.
Best villain (object):
Jabulani ball/Vuvuzelas
There can be nothing other than a tie here, as both are equally maligned. The Jabulani ball had it's share of critics, which included pretty much everyone, while the vuvuzelas gave people the world around a collective headache. And though players adjusted to the ball (it's still round!) and we adjusted to the vuvuzelas (it's still annoying!), we will never forget the swerving and buzzing of these two objects. The real enemy here should perhaps be plastic, as both demon items are made of the synthetic substance.
Best villain (individual):
Mark Van Bommel
Good old MVB earned his fair share of haters throughout the tournament. Whether he was trying to go through a player with his sharp studs or complaining to a referee, he just did not rub people the right way. Shame too as he was a HUGE reason the Dutch made a run to the final. Van Bommel provided the steel in midfield which they needed to shield a shaky back line. Still, MVB is someone fans just love to hate.
Most entertaining team:
Germany
Why not Spain? I never fell in love with their pass-pass-pass-pass back to defense-pass-etc. approach. I love a good counterattack more than anything, and the Germans were the kings of this. Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Muller, and company formed a lightning quick counter which destroyed Australia, England, and Argentina with 4 goal displays. The best is yet to come for this young team however, which is good news for any neutral fan.
Least entertaining team:
Greece
It wasn't any suprise to see Greece play so abysmally. We knew what they wanted to do. Try nip a goal and then sit 11 men back. Problem is they can't score goals and teams have figured them out since they won the Euros in '04. It took a Nigerian to be sent off for the Greeks to score not 1, but 2 goals! A new Greek record I think! They also put in two of the worst offensive displays in the tournament against South Korea and Argentina.
Best suprise team:
Uruguay
Forlan and Suarez led the Uruguayans to an improbable run to the semis. Although I picked them as a darkhorse, even I didn't expect them to do this well. The South Americans were a cohesive side with a strong defense and great attack. Forlan in particular lifted up the team with his swerving free kicks, while Suarez won the South Korea game with 2 goals of his own. Not only were they a suprise team, but they were also an entertaining team to watch. Good on ya Uruguay, you're welcome back anytime.
Biggest disappointment:
France
I almost picked Italy here, but really neither of these teams should've expected much based on their loony coaches. Still, the fact that France completely fell apart on and off the field was a major disappointment to anyone following the team. The current squad proved incapable of putting problems aside on the field with pathetic losses to Mexico and South Africa. The mutiny orchestrated by the players was just the icing on the cake to ensure that France was the laughing stock of the World Cup. They shouldn't have even shown up (Ireland anyone?).
Funniest storyline:
The French soap opera
Though it was sad and pathetic, the storylines which surfaced became farcical by the end as you could hardly believe this much could go wrong. A failed mutiny, an idiot coach, a crop of underachievers who can't even get along, the French soap opera was something we've never seen on such a grand scale. All you can really do is shake your head and laugh at what a joke this talent rich country has reduced itself to.
Worst game:
Brazil and Portugal's 0-0 draw
Perhaps the premier example as to why a game such as this should be scheduled first in the group. As it stands, both teams knew they didn't need to do much of anything to advance. Brazil and Portugal should produce a good game of football, instead we got this uninspiring mess.
Best game (group stage):
Slovakia - Italy
A 3-2 win for Slovakia knocked out the defending champs. Italy looked done and dusted but nearly pulled off a stunning comeback. This game had it all from high stakes, scoring, drama, and controversy. If only every group game was like this.
Best game (knockout stage):
Uruguay - Ghana
How could it be anything but this one? We may never see a more crazy finish than this. From Suarez's infamous handball and subsequent red card to the ensuing penalty which was missed by Gyan in the dying seconds. The penalties which decided it are almost an afterthought to this drama, but Uruguay stole a victory in the end which Africa will never forget.
Best manager:
Maradona! Just kidding. Joachim Lowe
Lowe managed a youthful German side which made it further than most expected, playing with brutal efficiency along the way. He dealt with injury and inexperience in stride and every move he made seemed to work.
Worst manager:
Raymond Domenech
This really goes without saying. Questionable squad selection, poor tactics, inability to motivate, being a complete idiot, he gave it his all that's for sure. When you are so bad that you inspire a mutiny, you may have a problem. Look for Raymond's new book, 'How Not to Manage a Football Team' at a bookstore near you very soon.
Biggest Winner:
Africa
This World Cup was a chance to showcase what Africa had to offer. A chance to prove that they can stage the world's grandest tournament. A chance to introduce itself as a world power. Africa delivered. Sure the tourney had it's problems, from annoying vuvuzelas to the maligned ball, to some poor playing conditions. Still this didn't dampen the mood in the slightest. Nothing could stop this continent's chance to shine. South Africa and the continent as a whole was a gracious host and we won't forget the memories made in the dark continent.
Diego Forlan
Fans of European club soccer knew that Forlan was among the best goal scorers in the world, but Forlan formally introduced himself to the rest of the world in South Africa. He tied for top scorer with 5 goals and was the lynch pin for a Uruguay side that punched above its weight to finish 4th.
Worst individual performace:
Wayne Rooney
How do zero goals, zero assists, barely a shot, and no impact whatsoever sound? Multiply that by 10 because Rooney is supposed to be one of the top 5 players in the world AT LEAST. He is certainly not the only reason for England's lacklustre campaign, but you expect more from a player of this quality.
Best moment:
Tshabalala's opening goal for South Africa
Opening game against Mexico, raucous home crowd, first world cup game in Africa, and Tshabalala latches onto the end of a through ball to perfectly rocket the ball into the corner of the net. Africa was rocking to the beat of the Bafana Bafana. Sure they ended up drawing that game, and didn't make the knockout stage, but for a brief moment, Tshabalala put South Africa on top of the world.
Worst ref:
Coulibaly (USA-Slovenia)
Blaming the ref is one of sport's oldest excuses, but come on now, this Malian was bad. The world may never know why Maurice Edu's go ahead goal against Slovenia was disallowed. Was it the multiple fouls committed against USA players in the box? Because he also missed those. There was also an offside goal earlier which was disallowed. Overall a terrible game for Coulibaly, and this will do nothing to dispel American's feelings that refs are out to get them on the world stage.
Worst diver:
Andres Iniesta
There were multiple candidates for this most prestigious award, including drame queens such as Arjen Robben, C. Ronaldo, and nearly the entire Spanish team. To be fair to these guys, diving is part of the game and nearly everyone does it. Iniesta is my pick of the litter however, simply because every time he touched the ball in the final, his body found the ground. Sure the Dutch set out to kick them off the field, but the Spaniard's embelishment didn't help matters, and they were never punished for it. Iniesta's dive to get Heitinga sent off was dubious indeed, even though the ref needs to share part of the blame as he was completely fooled.
Most clutch performance:
Luis Suarez
He made the save of the tournament, one which gave Uruguay a dim hope at advancing, but without it there was no hope whatsoever. He may be scrutinized, but that's a bit unfair as he did what every other footballer would do with a semi final spot on the line. He did his best Tim Howard impression and lets be honest, if Gyan did what he was supposed to do, this wouldn't even be remembered. As it stands, Suarez' quick thinking was undeniably a clutch (although morally questionable) decision that will live on in World Cup folk lore.
Biggest cheat:
Luis Suarez
He made the save of the tournament, except he's not a goalkeeper. Cynics will always claim that the red card given to Suarez along with a penalty is not enough. They'll say that a goal should just be given in such a circumstance. As it stands, Suarez found a way to beat the system, and it only really paid off because Gyan clanked the penalty off the bar. Still, Suarez is a polarizing figure who is both loved and hated equally for his action. One thing is for sure, he may not want to return to Africa again.
Biggest heartbreak:
Gyan's penalty miss with Africa's hopes on his shoulders
This was like nothing I've ever seen. It wasn't just one country's hopes but the whole host continent was on his shoulders. He had put away penalties against Germany and Serbia earlier in the tournament, but shanked the most important one he'll likely ever take. Even though I was bitter about Ghan beating the US, this was incredibly painful to see. We also must say that he manned up and cooly put home the first penalty in the shootout to somewhat redeem himself. Africa won't soon forget the penalty which broke their hearts.
Worst stadium:
Mandela Bay Stadium
This is the World Cup, why are they playing semi final matches on a dirt patch? To think this monstrosity of a field is named after one of the most inspirational figures in our lifetime. Even from the start the field wasn't up to par with the high standard which is to be expected. This wasn't the only pitch that was torn up, but it was certainly the worst.
Best stadium:
Soccer City
The pitch still had it's nicks, but overrall Soccer City was a splendid surface. The outside design was beautiful to the eye as well. By all accounts this was a worthy centerpiece to the tournament.
Best villain (object):
Jabulani ball/Vuvuzelas
There can be nothing other than a tie here, as both are equally maligned. The Jabulani ball had it's share of critics, which included pretty much everyone, while the vuvuzelas gave people the world around a collective headache. And though players adjusted to the ball (it's still round!) and we adjusted to the vuvuzelas (it's still annoying!), we will never forget the swerving and buzzing of these two objects. The real enemy here should perhaps be plastic, as both demon items are made of the synthetic substance.
Best villain (individual):
Mark Van Bommel
Good old MVB earned his fair share of haters throughout the tournament. Whether he was trying to go through a player with his sharp studs or complaining to a referee, he just did not rub people the right way. Shame too as he was a HUGE reason the Dutch made a run to the final. Van Bommel provided the steel in midfield which they needed to shield a shaky back line. Still, MVB is someone fans just love to hate.
Most entertaining team:
Germany
Why not Spain? I never fell in love with their pass-pass-pass-pass back to defense-pass-etc. approach. I love a good counterattack more than anything, and the Germans were the kings of this. Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Muller, and company formed a lightning quick counter which destroyed Australia, England, and Argentina with 4 goal displays. The best is yet to come for this young team however, which is good news for any neutral fan.
Least entertaining team:
Greece
It wasn't any suprise to see Greece play so abysmally. We knew what they wanted to do. Try nip a goal and then sit 11 men back. Problem is they can't score goals and teams have figured them out since they won the Euros in '04. It took a Nigerian to be sent off for the Greeks to score not 1, but 2 goals! A new Greek record I think! They also put in two of the worst offensive displays in the tournament against South Korea and Argentina.
Best suprise team:
Uruguay
Forlan and Suarez led the Uruguayans to an improbable run to the semis. Although I picked them as a darkhorse, even I didn't expect them to do this well. The South Americans were a cohesive side with a strong defense and great attack. Forlan in particular lifted up the team with his swerving free kicks, while Suarez won the South Korea game with 2 goals of his own. Not only were they a suprise team, but they were also an entertaining team to watch. Good on ya Uruguay, you're welcome back anytime.
Biggest disappointment:
France
I almost picked Italy here, but really neither of these teams should've expected much based on their loony coaches. Still, the fact that France completely fell apart on and off the field was a major disappointment to anyone following the team. The current squad proved incapable of putting problems aside on the field with pathetic losses to Mexico and South Africa. The mutiny orchestrated by the players was just the icing on the cake to ensure that France was the laughing stock of the World Cup. They shouldn't have even shown up (Ireland anyone?).
Funniest storyline:
The French soap opera
Though it was sad and pathetic, the storylines which surfaced became farcical by the end as you could hardly believe this much could go wrong. A failed mutiny, an idiot coach, a crop of underachievers who can't even get along, the French soap opera was something we've never seen on such a grand scale. All you can really do is shake your head and laugh at what a joke this talent rich country has reduced itself to.
Worst game:
Brazil and Portugal's 0-0 draw
Perhaps the premier example as to why a game such as this should be scheduled first in the group. As it stands, both teams knew they didn't need to do much of anything to advance. Brazil and Portugal should produce a good game of football, instead we got this uninspiring mess.
Best game (group stage):
Slovakia - Italy
A 3-2 win for Slovakia knocked out the defending champs. Italy looked done and dusted but nearly pulled off a stunning comeback. This game had it all from high stakes, scoring, drama, and controversy. If only every group game was like this.
Best game (knockout stage):
Uruguay - Ghana
How could it be anything but this one? We may never see a more crazy finish than this. From Suarez's infamous handball and subsequent red card to the ensuing penalty which was missed by Gyan in the dying seconds. The penalties which decided it are almost an afterthought to this drama, but Uruguay stole a victory in the end which Africa will never forget.
Best manager:
Maradona! Just kidding. Joachim Lowe
Lowe managed a youthful German side which made it further than most expected, playing with brutal efficiency along the way. He dealt with injury and inexperience in stride and every move he made seemed to work.
Worst manager:
Raymond Domenech
This really goes without saying. Questionable squad selection, poor tactics, inability to motivate, being a complete idiot, he gave it his all that's for sure. When you are so bad that you inspire a mutiny, you may have a problem. Look for Raymond's new book, 'How Not to Manage a Football Team' at a bookstore near you very soon.
Biggest Winner:
Africa
This World Cup was a chance to showcase what Africa had to offer. A chance to prove that they can stage the world's grandest tournament. A chance to introduce itself as a world power. Africa delivered. Sure the tourney had it's problems, from annoying vuvuzelas to the maligned ball, to some poor playing conditions. Still this didn't dampen the mood in the slightest. Nothing could stop this continent's chance to shine. South Africa and the continent as a whole was a gracious host and we won't forget the memories made in the dark continent.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Knockout stage predictions
Since I now know the actual bracket, I'll offer my picks for the knockout stage. My attitude has changed as a result of happenings in the group stage so some picks will be different.
Round of 16:
Uruguay over South Korea
USA over Ghana
Netherlands over Slovakia
Brazil over Chile
Argentina over Mexico
Germany over England
Paraguay over Japan
Spain over Portugal
Quarter-finals:
USA over Uruguay
Netherlands over Brazil
Argentina over Germany
Spain over Paraguay
Semi-finals:
Netherlands over USA
Argentina over Spain
Finals:
Netherlands over Argentina
Round of 16:
Uruguay over South Korea
USA over Ghana
Netherlands over Slovakia
Brazil over Chile
Argentina over Mexico
Germany over England
Paraguay over Japan
Spain over Portugal
Quarter-finals:
USA over Uruguay
Netherlands over Brazil
Argentina over Germany
Spain over Paraguay
Semi-finals:
Netherlands over USA
Argentina over Spain
Finals:
Netherlands over Argentina
Predictions so far.....
We'll take a look at the way things turned out and I'll either offer up excuses as to why I got it wrong, pat myself on the back, or maybe even own up and admit I just plain lost the plot.
Group A:
Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa
France
I got this one completely wrong. I just didn't have the guts to pick France to fail, despite huge reservations about them. I did correctly tag Uruguay as a darkhorse, but I underrated Mexico at the same time. South Africa became the first host country to fail to advance to the knockouts, but still did their country proud with a solid campaign. That opening goal scored by Tshabalala will be one of this tournament's defining moments.
Group B:
Argentina
South Korea
Greece
Nigeria
Argentina was a no brainer. I did pick South Korea to do well, but in the end I wanted to pick an African side to advance so I chose Nigeria. Nigeria were cruising against Greece before an insanely stupid red card ruined their hopes. I will always contend that they would've advance if not for that.
Group C:
USA
England
Slovenia
Algeria
I never though USA would WIN this group, but Group C proved unpredictable. Not necessarilly with who advanced, but how it played out. England were disappointing, Slovenia were better than expected, Algeria raised a few eye-brows, and the US never gave up.
Group D:
Germany
Ghana
Australia
Serbia
I tagged Serbia as a legitimate darkhorse. I said they'd top this group. They finished dead last in Group D. But I have an excuse! They absolutely gave their first game away agaisnt Ghana with a stupid handball penalty and a red card. That game effectively sealed their fate, and not even a suprise win over Germany could lift them up.
Group E:
Netherlands
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon
The Dutch didn't let me down, although without Robben they haven't looked themselves just yet. Denmark was right where they needed to be, beat Japan in the last game and they're in. Japan took it to the Danes though and earned a spot in the last 16. Japan has to be one of the revelations of the tournament. I did at least tip Keisuke Honda for success. That counts for something right?
Group F:
Paraguay
Slovakia
New Zealand
Italy
Nobody saw this one coming, no one. Italy joined France in having a miserable World Cup. I did pick Slovakia to take that 2nd spot, but how did I miss Paraguay. I underrated the South Americans big time. As for New Zealand, I said they wouldn't score a goal, or get a point. They proved me wrong, going unbeated (with 3 draws) and not 1, but 2 goals scored! Hats off the the Kiwis, you did your country proud.
Group G:
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea
I got this group spot on. I was correct in playing down the hype around the Ivory Coast. Drogba wasn't 100 percent, and their cohesiveness as a unit wasn't there.
Group H:
Spain
Chile
Switzerland
Honduras
Another 100 percent record for me! But really, this group fell as it should've, apart from the Swiss win over Spain. The Spaniards did make things hard on themselves, but came back and won the group.
Group A:
Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa
France
I got this one completely wrong. I just didn't have the guts to pick France to fail, despite huge reservations about them. I did correctly tag Uruguay as a darkhorse, but I underrated Mexico at the same time. South Africa became the first host country to fail to advance to the knockouts, but still did their country proud with a solid campaign. That opening goal scored by Tshabalala will be one of this tournament's defining moments.
Group B:
Argentina
South Korea
Greece
Nigeria
Argentina was a no brainer. I did pick South Korea to do well, but in the end I wanted to pick an African side to advance so I chose Nigeria. Nigeria were cruising against Greece before an insanely stupid red card ruined their hopes. I will always contend that they would've advance if not for that.
Group C:
USA
England
Slovenia
Algeria
I never though USA would WIN this group, but Group C proved unpredictable. Not necessarilly with who advanced, but how it played out. England were disappointing, Slovenia were better than expected, Algeria raised a few eye-brows, and the US never gave up.
Group D:
Germany
Ghana
Australia
Serbia
I tagged Serbia as a legitimate darkhorse. I said they'd top this group. They finished dead last in Group D. But I have an excuse! They absolutely gave their first game away agaisnt Ghana with a stupid handball penalty and a red card. That game effectively sealed their fate, and not even a suprise win over Germany could lift them up.
Group E:
Netherlands
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon
The Dutch didn't let me down, although without Robben they haven't looked themselves just yet. Denmark was right where they needed to be, beat Japan in the last game and they're in. Japan took it to the Danes though and earned a spot in the last 16. Japan has to be one of the revelations of the tournament. I did at least tip Keisuke Honda for success. That counts for something right?
Group F:
Paraguay
Slovakia
New Zealand
Italy
Nobody saw this one coming, no one. Italy joined France in having a miserable World Cup. I did pick Slovakia to take that 2nd spot, but how did I miss Paraguay. I underrated the South Americans big time. As for New Zealand, I said they wouldn't score a goal, or get a point. They proved me wrong, going unbeated (with 3 draws) and not 1, but 2 goals scored! Hats off the the Kiwis, you did your country proud.
Group G:
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea
I got this group spot on. I was correct in playing down the hype around the Ivory Coast. Drogba wasn't 100 percent, and their cohesiveness as a unit wasn't there.
Group H:
Spain
Chile
Switzerland
Honduras
Another 100 percent record for me! But really, this group fell as it should've, apart from the Swiss win over Spain. The Spaniards did make things hard on themselves, but came back and won the group.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
And your 2010 World Cup champions will be.....
My official predictions. Some of my picks actually don't reflect what I wrote in my breakdowns. This is due to the fact that I've changed my mind slightly on some teams. For instance, I originally didn't pick any African teams to reach the round of 16. You'll see that has changed slightly.
Group A:
1. France
2. Uruguay
3. Mexico
4. South Africa
Group B:
1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. South Korea
4. Greece
Group C:
1. England
2. USA
3. Slovenia
4. Algeria
Group D:
1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Australia
4. Ghana
Group E:
1. Netherlands
2. Denmark
3. Cameroon
4. Japan
Group F:
1. Italy
2. Slovakia
3. Paraguay
4. New Zealand
Group G:
1. Brazil
2. Portugal
3. Ivory Coast
4. North Korea
Group H:
1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Switzerland
4. Honduras
Round of 16:
2B Nigeria over 1A France
1C England over 2D Germany
1E Netherlands over 2F Slovakia
1G Brazil over 2H Chile
1B Argentina over 2A Uruguay
2C United States over 1D Serbia
1F Italy over 2E Denmark
1H Spain over 2G Portugal
Quarter-finals:
England over Nigeria
Netherlands over Brazil
Argentina over USA
Spain over Italy
Semi-finals:
Netherlands over England
Spain over Argentina
Final:
Netherlands over Spain
The Dutch, Holland, Netherlands, call them whatever you want, they're my pick to win it all this year. So why do I pick the Dutch? To the casual fan this may seem like an odd pick. What about Brazil? Spain? Italy? Argentina? Let me assure you, Holland is in the same category as those teams in the world's view. This is not by any means a pick out of left field. Here's why...
No team in this tournament boasts the offensive talent of the Dutch. And it might not even be close. Where do we even start?
How about with two players who led their respective clubs to the Champions League final?
Just one year ago, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were shown the door at Real Madrid. Sold to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in order to usher in the signings of Ronaldo and Kaka, among others. Although Real Madrid may not regret the decision, the German and Italian sides are probably still busy writing thank you notes to Madrid. With Robbens's mazy runs from the right wing and Sneijder's pin-point precision with assists, the Dutch are led by two of the most in-form superstars in the world.
How about depth in the midfield which no other team can boast?
Rafael Van der Vaart may start, but if not he will feature off the bench. The attacking midfielder has been spectacular for country in the past. The defensive midfield is strong as well. Mark Van Bommel and Nigel de Jong are tough tackling d-mids who protect the more attacking oriented players in front of them. They know their role and do it well.
How about young, up-and-coming stars who are wanted by every big club in Europe?
Ibrahim Afellay and Eljero Elia will introduce themselves to the world coming off the bench. Both players will soon find themselves at a big European club after the World Cup.
How about one of the most dynamic strikers in the world, and a more than worthy back up?
Robin van Persie may be the tourament's top scorer before its all said and done. The Arsenal forward has a cannon for a left foot and the creativity to create goals for himself. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a bench option who's style differs from van Persie in that he poaches goals in the box.
How about a defense that is no longer a blatent weakness?
John Heitinga and Joris Mathijsen are a reliable pair in central defense. Greg Van der Wiel is one of the most sought after young right-backs in the football world and while Giovanni von Bronkhorst may be just a little past his expiration date, he's still a more than capable left-back.
How about the recent results to back up all my claims?
Ya all this talent is nice, but how has it translated on the field of late? The answer is: really well. They didn't lose a game in qualifying, a perfect 8 wins in 8 games. Yes, their group wasn't that great, but 8 of 8 can't be ignored. The Euro 2008tournament was Holland's coming out party. They demolished France and Italy with a deadly counter-attack and slick passing. Unfortunately, they ran into tactical extraordinaire Guus Hiddink, a Dutchmen himself, who coached the Russian team which knocked them out. No manager of that calibre will be at the helm in South Africa, and the Dutch are all the better for it. The most recent match Holland played? A 6-1 demolition of Hungary. The perfect tune-up for the World Cup.
The Dutch come into this tournament brimming with confidence, dripping with talent, and the perfect blend of youth and experience to win the World Cup. The Dutch forward line is good enough to terrify any defense in the world and their own defense is no longer an obvious weakness. That is why the Dutch will be your 2010 FIFA World Cup champions.
Group A:
1. France
2. Uruguay
3. Mexico
4. South Africa
Group B:
1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. South Korea
4. Greece
Group C:
1. England
2. USA
3. Slovenia
4. Algeria
Group D:
1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Australia
4. Ghana
Group E:
1. Netherlands
2. Denmark
3. Cameroon
4. Japan
Group F:
1. Italy
2. Slovakia
3. Paraguay
4. New Zealand
Group G:
1. Brazil
2. Portugal
3. Ivory Coast
4. North Korea
Group H:
1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Switzerland
4. Honduras
Round of 16:
2B Nigeria over 1A France
1C England over 2D Germany
1E Netherlands over 2F Slovakia
1G Brazil over 2H Chile
1B Argentina over 2A Uruguay
2C United States over 1D Serbia
1F Italy over 2E Denmark
1H Spain over 2G Portugal
Quarter-finals:
England over Nigeria
Netherlands over Brazil
Argentina over USA
Spain over Italy
Semi-finals:
Netherlands over England
Spain over Argentina
Final:
Netherlands over Spain
The Dutch, Holland, Netherlands, call them whatever you want, they're my pick to win it all this year. So why do I pick the Dutch? To the casual fan this may seem like an odd pick. What about Brazil? Spain? Italy? Argentina? Let me assure you, Holland is in the same category as those teams in the world's view. This is not by any means a pick out of left field. Here's why...
No team in this tournament boasts the offensive talent of the Dutch. And it might not even be close. Where do we even start?
How about with two players who led their respective clubs to the Champions League final?
Just one year ago, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were shown the door at Real Madrid. Sold to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in order to usher in the signings of Ronaldo and Kaka, among others. Although Real Madrid may not regret the decision, the German and Italian sides are probably still busy writing thank you notes to Madrid. With Robbens's mazy runs from the right wing and Sneijder's pin-point precision with assists, the Dutch are led by two of the most in-form superstars in the world.
How about depth in the midfield which no other team can boast?
Rafael Van der Vaart may start, but if not he will feature off the bench. The attacking midfielder has been spectacular for country in the past. The defensive midfield is strong as well. Mark Van Bommel and Nigel de Jong are tough tackling d-mids who protect the more attacking oriented players in front of them. They know their role and do it well.
How about young, up-and-coming stars who are wanted by every big club in Europe?
Ibrahim Afellay and Eljero Elia will introduce themselves to the world coming off the bench. Both players will soon find themselves at a big European club after the World Cup.
How about one of the most dynamic strikers in the world, and a more than worthy back up?
Robin van Persie may be the tourament's top scorer before its all said and done. The Arsenal forward has a cannon for a left foot and the creativity to create goals for himself. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a bench option who's style differs from van Persie in that he poaches goals in the box.
How about a defense that is no longer a blatent weakness?
John Heitinga and Joris Mathijsen are a reliable pair in central defense. Greg Van der Wiel is one of the most sought after young right-backs in the football world and while Giovanni von Bronkhorst may be just a little past his expiration date, he's still a more than capable left-back.
How about the recent results to back up all my claims?
Ya all this talent is nice, but how has it translated on the field of late? The answer is: really well. They didn't lose a game in qualifying, a perfect 8 wins in 8 games. Yes, their group wasn't that great, but 8 of 8 can't be ignored. The Euro 2008tournament was Holland's coming out party. They demolished France and Italy with a deadly counter-attack and slick passing. Unfortunately, they ran into tactical extraordinaire Guus Hiddink, a Dutchmen himself, who coached the Russian team which knocked them out. No manager of that calibre will be at the helm in South Africa, and the Dutch are all the better for it. The most recent match Holland played? A 6-1 demolition of Hungary. The perfect tune-up for the World Cup.
The Dutch come into this tournament brimming with confidence, dripping with talent, and the perfect blend of youth and experience to win the World Cup. The Dutch forward line is good enough to terrify any defense in the world and their own defense is no longer an obvious weakness. That is why the Dutch will be your 2010 FIFA World Cup champions.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Everythng you need to know about Group H
The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group H.
Group H:
Chile: 5,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Why they'll win it:
Why they won't:
Projection:
Why they'll win it:
Spain comes in as the favorites, along with Brazil, and with good reason. They won the European Championship two years ago and haven't looked back since (apart from that loss to USA last year of course). This team is probably the most talented in the tournament, with world class players in every position. The attack is led by David Villa and Fernando Torres. These are two of the finest strikers in the world. The midfield might be even better with Xavi, Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso. The fact that Cesc Fabregas is available as a super substiture underlines how stacked this team is. The defense is solid with the towering Gerard Pique leading the backline, and with Iker Casillas as the goalie, they are hard to score on. Spains biggest strength is their ability to pass and keep possession. Taking the ball off them is the hardest part.
Why they won't:
Spain has a long history for underachieving. They've often had one of the most talented teams in the tournament, but their best ever finish at a World Cup is reaching the quarterfinals. That is astounding. Winning the Euros most likely put this current squad at ease, but the question remains, will Spain underachieve like always?
Projection:
This isn't the Spain of the past. They are the favorites for a reason and proved it in their last friendly in which they embarrassed Poland 6-0. Spain won't disappoint this time around because their passing game is just too good. Don't be suprised to see Spain have 60 percent of the possession in their games. This may be Spain's year, finally. They'll reach the semi-finals at least, and look for them to perhaps win it all.
Switzerland: 5,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Swiss are a well organized squad who will be hard to break down. They feature quality midfielders like Gohkan Inler and Gelson Fernandes who can both create and defend. Alexander Frei always comes to play for country and will lead the attack well. The defense is rigid, if a bit slow, but goalie Diego Benaglio is a steadying force in net.
Why they won't:
They are organized, but don't have the talent to compete against top teams. They advanced to the World Cup in an easy qualifying group featuring minnows like Moldova, Israel, and Latvia. They struggled to score against those teams, so don't expect too many exciting games for the Swiss. They just don't have much for creatitivity in the side.
Projection:
The Swiss will compete for the final qualification spot in this below average group. The match against Chile will likely determine who makes it. Don't expect the Swiss to entertain you however, and if they do make it past the group state look for them to bow out in the next match.
Tune in tomorrow for my pick to win the World Cup.
Group H:
Chile: 5,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Chile can flat out score with the best of em. They finished second in the South American qualifying stage just behind Brazil. They have attacking talend du jour with Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez was a star player at the U-20 world cup in 2007, a tournament in which Chile took 3rd place. So they have a talented crop of youngsters in the squad. Arturo Vidal is another from that team who adds steel to the midfield. Chile's biggest strength is their attacking mentality, they have no plan B.
Why they won't:
Their biggest strength is their biggest weakness. They scored a ton of goals in qualifying, but they also gave up a ton of goals. All that attacking opens up scoring oppurtunities for the opposition through counter attacking. Chile's defense just isn't good enough to hold the lead all the time.
Projection:
Luckily for Chile, this is a group in which they can play to their strengths, apart from Spain. Chile should be able to simply attack without reservations against Honduras and Switzerland. Look for Chile to take second in this group and bow out in the round of 16.
Honduras: 1 million-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
With those odds, they aren't going to win it, but I'll try my best here. They do have some talented players in battering ram midfielder Wilson Palacios and striker David Suazo. So it's not as if they are a team full of scrubs. Their strength, or strategy I should say is their defense. They hang back for much of the match and play on the counter.
Why they won't:
This is a below average team. They barely made it to the World Cup out of an easy qualification region. Suazo, one of their best players, is frustratingly inconsistent. Palacios will always control his area but that's not enough. They've also been losing left and right in friendlies with losses to Turkey, Venezuela, and Romania.
Projection:
Enjoy your stay in South Africa, Honduras. You won't be there past the group stage. They just aren't as good as any of the other teams in this below average group. Expect to see Honduras finish at the bottom of Group H.
Spain: 4-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Spain comes in as the favorites, along with Brazil, and with good reason. They won the European Championship two years ago and haven't looked back since (apart from that loss to USA last year of course). This team is probably the most talented in the tournament, with world class players in every position. The attack is led by David Villa and Fernando Torres. These are two of the finest strikers in the world. The midfield might be even better with Xavi, Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso. The fact that Cesc Fabregas is available as a super substiture underlines how stacked this team is. The defense is solid with the towering Gerard Pique leading the backline, and with Iker Casillas as the goalie, they are hard to score on. Spains biggest strength is their ability to pass and keep possession. Taking the ball off them is the hardest part.
Why they won't:
Spain has a long history for underachieving. They've often had one of the most talented teams in the tournament, but their best ever finish at a World Cup is reaching the quarterfinals. That is astounding. Winning the Euros most likely put this current squad at ease, but the question remains, will Spain underachieve like always?
Projection:
This isn't the Spain of the past. They are the favorites for a reason and proved it in their last friendly in which they embarrassed Poland 6-0. Spain won't disappoint this time around because their passing game is just too good. Don't be suprised to see Spain have 60 percent of the possession in their games. This may be Spain's year, finally. They'll reach the semi-finals at least, and look for them to perhaps win it all.
Switzerland: 5,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Swiss are a well organized squad who will be hard to break down. They feature quality midfielders like Gohkan Inler and Gelson Fernandes who can both create and defend. Alexander Frei always comes to play for country and will lead the attack well. The defense is rigid, if a bit slow, but goalie Diego Benaglio is a steadying force in net.
Why they won't:
They are organized, but don't have the talent to compete against top teams. They advanced to the World Cup in an easy qualifying group featuring minnows like Moldova, Israel, and Latvia. They struggled to score against those teams, so don't expect too many exciting games for the Swiss. They just don't have much for creatitivity in the side.
Projection:
The Swiss will compete for the final qualification spot in this below average group. The match against Chile will likely determine who makes it. Don't expect the Swiss to entertain you however, and if they do make it past the group state look for them to bow out in the next match.
Tune in tomorrow for my pick to win the World Cup.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Everything you need to know about Group G.
The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group G.
Group G:
Why they'll win it:
Why they won't:
Both Kaka and Robinho experienced difficult seasons with new clubs which raises major concerns. The defensive midfield is also very suspect with Felipe Melo in particular having a disastrous season at Juventus. The coach, Dunga, is also a bit of a question. His tactics have created perhaps the most boring Brazil side in two decades. His team selection could be suspect too, as he snubbed two hugely talented players in Ronaldinho and Pato.
Projection:
Brazil was unlucky to draw the "group of death", but they should have no problems advancing. Though they won't dazzle us like years past, this Brazil can grind out results better than any team in the world. This was most evident at last years Confederations Cup which Brazil won. Look for Brazil to once again make a run at the title.
Ivory Coast: 100-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Elephants from Cote D'Ivoire are a popular dark horse pick to win it in South Africa and the major reason why is Didier Drogba. The powerful striker may be the best in the world at his position. The rest of the squad is nothing to laugh at either. Yaya Toure has enjoyed a couple good seasons with Barcelona and will anchor the defensive midfield spot, while brother Kolo is the teams leader in defense. One player to watch for a breakout performance is Gervinho, who's been lighting up the French league for years.
Why they won't:
Though a popular darkhorse pick, I don't really see why. Besides Drogba of course, a lot of the team had difficult years at club level and haven't played great in recent matches. This team was favored to win the African Cup in January and underachieved. They got beaten soundly by South Korea recently too. I just can't see this team hanging with the big boys.
Projection:
Though they aren't quite the contender that people think they are, they are a solid team capable of putting a good run of games together. Drogba alone is enough to be afraid of this team and I still see them battling for the second qualification spot in this tough group. Maybe having the Cup hosted on African soil will rally this team into a deep run though.
North Korea: none
Why they'll win it:
North Korea shocked the world back in 1966 when they beat Italy and nearly knocked off Portugal. Could something magical happen again? Nope. The defense on this team is actually really good though. It's not like they're New Zealand or anything, but they have absolutely no shot at winning.
Why they won't:
Have you seen this group? It's loaded. North Korea is the odd man out by far. Their biggest strength is defense, but Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast should be able to negate that with ease. It's unfortunate for the Koreans that they were drawn into such a tough group. They could scare many other sides, but not these three.
Projection:
Unless Kim Jong-il suits up, they won't come anywhere near advancing. Though I've been negative about this team, I still wouldn't be suprised to see them get a good result in one of the three games. That won't stop them from finishing last in this group of death.
Portugal: 25-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
They have a great defense, but let's not kid ourselves, Cristiano Ronaldo is the reason they have a chance. Though Messi has taken his throne as world's best player, C. Ronaldo had an outstanding first year at Real Madrid and will be ready to make his mark on the grand stage. Bruno Alves and Carvalho will handle the defensive duties in central defense. A win over Cameroon signalled that they are ready and prepared to go far.
Why they won't:
Coach, Queiroz is not the most popular of men in Portugal. He's made some interesting choices for the team and his style has not rubbed off well on his team. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the best players in the world, but he somehow hasn't scored a goal for Portugal since 2008. That will need to change. They also recently had a goalless draw against Cape Verde, and Cape Verde is not a very good team at all.
Projection:
This isn't the Portugal of 2006. The expectations are far lower, but they still have a fighting chance because of their talisman Ronaldo. They will battle for second with Ivory Coast, and likely advance to the knockouts. Don't expect too far of a run for the Portuguese though.
Group G:
Brazil: 4-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Brazil flies into the World Cup as one of the favorites to take home the title, which is nothing new. This perennial soccer power is drastically different than it's predecessors however. This Brazil is built on defense. Lucio is among the world's best central defenders and anchors a burly back line. Maicon and Dani Alves are the two best right backs in the world, so it's a shame only one can play at a time. Kaka and Robinho are the creative forces and bring all the flair that's needed. Luis Fabiano isn't the flashiest of strikers, but he gets the job done, and Julio Caesar could be the best keeper in the world at the moment. Friendlies have also been encouraging, with wins over England and Ireland.
Why they won't:
Both Kaka and Robinho experienced difficult seasons with new clubs which raises major concerns. The defensive midfield is also very suspect with Felipe Melo in particular having a disastrous season at Juventus. The coach, Dunga, is also a bit of a question. His tactics have created perhaps the most boring Brazil side in two decades. His team selection could be suspect too, as he snubbed two hugely talented players in Ronaldinho and Pato.
Projection:
Brazil was unlucky to draw the "group of death", but they should have no problems advancing. Though they won't dazzle us like years past, this Brazil can grind out results better than any team in the world. This was most evident at last years Confederations Cup which Brazil won. Look for Brazil to once again make a run at the title.
Ivory Coast: 100-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Elephants from Cote D'Ivoire are a popular dark horse pick to win it in South Africa and the major reason why is Didier Drogba. The powerful striker may be the best in the world at his position. The rest of the squad is nothing to laugh at either. Yaya Toure has enjoyed a couple good seasons with Barcelona and will anchor the defensive midfield spot, while brother Kolo is the teams leader in defense. One player to watch for a breakout performance is Gervinho, who's been lighting up the French league for years.
Why they won't:
Though a popular darkhorse pick, I don't really see why. Besides Drogba of course, a lot of the team had difficult years at club level and haven't played great in recent matches. This team was favored to win the African Cup in January and underachieved. They got beaten soundly by South Korea recently too. I just can't see this team hanging with the big boys.
Projection:
Though they aren't quite the contender that people think they are, they are a solid team capable of putting a good run of games together. Drogba alone is enough to be afraid of this team and I still see them battling for the second qualification spot in this tough group. Maybe having the Cup hosted on African soil will rally this team into a deep run though.
North Korea: none
Why they'll win it:
North Korea shocked the world back in 1966 when they beat Italy and nearly knocked off Portugal. Could something magical happen again? Nope. The defense on this team is actually really good though. It's not like they're New Zealand or anything, but they have absolutely no shot at winning.
Why they won't:
Have you seen this group? It's loaded. North Korea is the odd man out by far. Their biggest strength is defense, but Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast should be able to negate that with ease. It's unfortunate for the Koreans that they were drawn into such a tough group. They could scare many other sides, but not these three.
Projection:
Unless Kim Jong-il suits up, they won't come anywhere near advancing. Though I've been negative about this team, I still wouldn't be suprised to see them get a good result in one of the three games. That won't stop them from finishing last in this group of death.
Portugal: 25-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
They have a great defense, but let's not kid ourselves, Cristiano Ronaldo is the reason they have a chance. Though Messi has taken his throne as world's best player, C. Ronaldo had an outstanding first year at Real Madrid and will be ready to make his mark on the grand stage. Bruno Alves and Carvalho will handle the defensive duties in central defense. A win over Cameroon signalled that they are ready and prepared to go far.
Why they won't:
Coach, Queiroz is not the most popular of men in Portugal. He's made some interesting choices for the team and his style has not rubbed off well on his team. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the best players in the world, but he somehow hasn't scored a goal for Portugal since 2008. That will need to change. They also recently had a goalless draw against Cape Verde, and Cape Verde is not a very good team at all.
Projection:
This isn't the Portugal of 2006. The expectations are far lower, but they still have a fighting chance because of their talisman Ronaldo. They will battle for second with Ivory Coast, and likely advance to the knockouts. Don't expect too far of a run for the Portuguese though.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Everything you need to know about Group F.
The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group F.
Group F:
Italy: 15-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The defending World Cup champions are back and filled with experience. Many of the stalwarts from '06 return for further glory, including center back Fabio Cannavaro. The defense will be key as always for the Azzuri. The midfield is another strength with Daniele De Rossi of Roma fame having a propensity for belting a goal in from the midfield. There is also the fact that Gianluigi Buffon will keep the Italians in every match
Why they won't:
The strikers of '10 are not in the same class as their '06 counterparts. Alberto Gilardino is the headliner, and that may spell trouble. The coach, Marcelo Lippi, inexplicably left out some great talents from the squad. In particular, Antonio Cassano, who is among the most technically gifted forwards in the world. This Azzuri squad just isn't as good as in '06. They also lost to Mexico pretty badly in a recent friendly. Not a good sign.
Projection:
Italy is not as dangerous as years past, but they were extremely fortunate to draw perhaps the easiest group in the tourney. They may fall to 2nd in Group F, but even thats unlikely. Look for Italy to fall in the quarters.
New Zealand: No odds whatsoever
Why they'll win it:
The All Whites are a stout defensive squad and......let's not even kid ourselves. New Zealand won't win it. They have some players from lower English leagues and that isn't going to get it done. Even I can't come up with a list of reasons why New Zealand might win it. Chris Killen might get a goal or something though. Oh and they had a fluke win over Serbia in a friendly.
Why they won't:
They aren't good enough. It's that simple. They advanced to the Cup because of a simple qualifying group including New Caledonia (which I believe is a suburb near the Twin Cities), Fiji, and Vanuatu. They've lost pretty much every friendly (apart from that Serbia win which I'm trying to sweep under the rug). There are way too many reasons to write concerning why they won't win. That's all you need to know.
Projection:
They will not score a goal in the World Cup. They will finish last in this group. They will be happy to be here. Mark it in stone.
Paraguay: 25,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Paraguay features some talented players. In particular, Roque Santa Cruz didn't have a great year at Man City, but he leads the attack and is capable of winning some games. They had a pretty good qualifying campaign and ended up finishing well above Argentina. They've also had a few good friendly results, beating Greece and North Korea.
Why they won't:
One of their biggest reasons for success was striker Salvador Cabanas. Unfortunately, Cabanas is missing out on the World Cup because of a gunshot wound to the head suffered earlier this year. The tragic event could motivate the squad, but his absence will surely be missed. Couple that with the weaknesses of the team in general and Paraguay's chances are looking slim.
Projection:
Paraguay is a capable squad, but I don't see them knocking off Italy or Slovakia. 3rd place is the likely position here.
Slovakia: 1,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Marek Hamsik should be a lot more famous than he is. The talented Slovak has been lighting up the Italian league for years now. You can bank on a breakout performance from this guy, and he could very well lead this team to a suprise finish. The defense is also solid with Martin Skrtel of Liverpool fame anchoring the back line.
Why they won't:
Apart from match-winner Hamsik, the rest of the squad is rather ordinary. The strikers aren't reliable and the defense is beatable. They can hang with most squads for awhile, but I can't see them actually beating a top 10 team in the world.
Projection:
The Slovaks are easily the 2nd best team in a bad group. Finishing out of 2nd place would be a disgrace. Look for this team to finish 2nd and then bow out in the round of 16.
Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group G.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Everything you need to know about Group E.
The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group E.
Group E:
Cameroon: 15,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Samuel Eto'o remains one of the world's deadliest strikers, despite a disappointing first season at Inter Milan. Any team with Eto'o stands a chance to a certain degree. In midfield, Alex Song of my beloved Arsenal anchors the midfield. Song had a great year at the London club and proved to be one of the best young defensive midfielders in the world. Goalkeeper is another big strength, with Carlos Kameni between the sticks.
Why they won't:
Eto'o is great, but he's not a creator. He needs distribution from the midfield to be successful. I don't see that in this Cameroon side. Song is the best they have in midfield, but he's of the defensive variety. Recent friendlies have not been impressive either, with losses to Portugal and Serbia.
Projection:
With Eto'o I can't count them out completely, but Cameroon just doesn't have what it takes to make the knockout stage. I see them finishing 3rd in this group.
Denmark: 500-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Danes suprised everyone by finishing above Portugal in their qualifying group. They are strong in most departments, especially defense. At 21 years of age, Simon Kjaer is one of the best young defenders in the world. Look for him to have a breakout tournament. At 18 years old, Christian Eriksen is the youngest player in the tourney, and will be a super sub coming off the bench. Look for this kid to be a star come 5 years from now. Striker Nicklas Bendtner has a tremendous scoring record for country which I wish he could replicate for Arsenal.
Why they won't:
They are pretty good in every department, but masters in none. The midfield is very steely, but red cards could be in the offing that's for sure. Bendtner is notorious for fluffing his chances in front of goal, which can be a nightmare at times. Recent results don't do them favors either. They've lost to South Africa, Austria, and Australia.
Projection:
Recent losses aside, this team is solid. They don't have a glaring weakness in any department. This is a possible darkhorse team, and they should advance to the knockouts with a second place finish in the group.
Why they'll win it:
The Samurai are a technically gifted side who can maintain possession against most teams. Striker, Keisuke Honda is coming off a great year at CSK Moscow and will be looking to emerge as a star. Shunsuke Nakamura will be as dangerous as ever on free kicks and the defense can attack with the best of em.
Why they won't:
Honda is capable of a wonder goal, but he's not the most prolific of strikers. Indeed no one is on Japan. They can keep possession, but it often doesn't lead to anything. They've also had a dreadful run of games of late, losing to Serbia, South Korea, England, and Ivory Coast. That means they're 0-4 against World Cup teams in friendlies. Not good. Oh ya, and Japan has never won a World Cup match on foreign soil.
Projection:
Japan is capable of an upset, but I don't see them advancing to the knockout stage. They will put up a fight for the 2nd spot, but I can't see them pulling it off. History says they don't travel well, and I'm going with history on this one.
Netherlands: 5-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Holland, Netherlands, the Dutch, doesn't matter what we call them, this team is the real deal. Arjen Robben is a world player of the year candidate after his masterful year at Bayern Munich, and Wesley Sneijder of Inter is right there with him. The Holland attack is simply loaded. My favorite player, Robin van Persie leads the line after recovering from an injury earlier in the year and Rafael Van der Vaart rounded into form at Real Madrid at just the right time to make a splash here. Even the defense is looking suprisingly good. They didn't lose a game in qualifying or in recent friendlies either.
Why they won't:
The defense is suprisingly good because we're used to them being a big question mark. The Dutch can outscore any team in the world, but can the defense keep out enough goals to win games? The Euro tourament is a prime example, as the attack wowed people, the D did them in against Russia. There is also the issue of Robben's recent hamstring injury. We'll find out the extent of that tomorrow.
Projection:
The Dutch will be the most entertaining side in the tourney. No other team boasts the attacking talent of this side. They do have a history of coming up short, but the Dutch should fly through this group. A title run is in the books for this team, and you should expect to see them in the semis at least. By all means, try catch some of this team's games. You will be entertained.
Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group F.
Group E:
Cameroon: 15,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Samuel Eto'o remains one of the world's deadliest strikers, despite a disappointing first season at Inter Milan. Any team with Eto'o stands a chance to a certain degree. In midfield, Alex Song of my beloved Arsenal anchors the midfield. Song had a great year at the London club and proved to be one of the best young defensive midfielders in the world. Goalkeeper is another big strength, with Carlos Kameni between the sticks.
Why they won't:
Eto'o is great, but he's not a creator. He needs distribution from the midfield to be successful. I don't see that in this Cameroon side. Song is the best they have in midfield, but he's of the defensive variety. Recent friendlies have not been impressive either, with losses to Portugal and Serbia.
Projection:
With Eto'o I can't count them out completely, but Cameroon just doesn't have what it takes to make the knockout stage. I see them finishing 3rd in this group.
Denmark: 500-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Danes suprised everyone by finishing above Portugal in their qualifying group. They are strong in most departments, especially defense. At 21 years of age, Simon Kjaer is one of the best young defenders in the world. Look for him to have a breakout tournament. At 18 years old, Christian Eriksen is the youngest player in the tourney, and will be a super sub coming off the bench. Look for this kid to be a star come 5 years from now. Striker Nicklas Bendtner has a tremendous scoring record for country which I wish he could replicate for Arsenal.
Why they won't:
They are pretty good in every department, but masters in none. The midfield is very steely, but red cards could be in the offing that's for sure. Bendtner is notorious for fluffing his chances in front of goal, which can be a nightmare at times. Recent results don't do them favors either. They've lost to South Africa, Austria, and Australia.
Projection:
Recent losses aside, this team is solid. They don't have a glaring weakness in any department. This is a possible darkhorse team, and they should advance to the knockouts with a second place finish in the group.
Japan: 5,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Samurai are a technically gifted side who can maintain possession against most teams. Striker, Keisuke Honda is coming off a great year at CSK Moscow and will be looking to emerge as a star. Shunsuke Nakamura will be as dangerous as ever on free kicks and the defense can attack with the best of em.
Why they won't:
Honda is capable of a wonder goal, but he's not the most prolific of strikers. Indeed no one is on Japan. They can keep possession, but it often doesn't lead to anything. They've also had a dreadful run of games of late, losing to Serbia, South Korea, England, and Ivory Coast. That means they're 0-4 against World Cup teams in friendlies. Not good. Oh ya, and Japan has never won a World Cup match on foreign soil.
Projection:
Japan is capable of an upset, but I don't see them advancing to the knockout stage. They will put up a fight for the 2nd spot, but I can't see them pulling it off. History says they don't travel well, and I'm going with history on this one.
Netherlands: 5-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Holland, Netherlands, the Dutch, doesn't matter what we call them, this team is the real deal. Arjen Robben is a world player of the year candidate after his masterful year at Bayern Munich, and Wesley Sneijder of Inter is right there with him. The Holland attack is simply loaded. My favorite player, Robin van Persie leads the line after recovering from an injury earlier in the year and Rafael Van der Vaart rounded into form at Real Madrid at just the right time to make a splash here. Even the defense is looking suprisingly good. They didn't lose a game in qualifying or in recent friendlies either.
Why they won't:
The defense is suprisingly good because we're used to them being a big question mark. The Dutch can outscore any team in the world, but can the defense keep out enough goals to win games? The Euro tourament is a prime example, as the attack wowed people, the D did them in against Russia. There is also the issue of Robben's recent hamstring injury. We'll find out the extent of that tomorrow.
Projection:
The Dutch will be the most entertaining side in the tourney. No other team boasts the attacking talent of this side. They do have a history of coming up short, but the Dutch should fly through this group. A title run is in the books for this team, and you should expect to see them in the semis at least. By all means, try catch some of this team's games. You will be entertained.
Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group F.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Everything you need to know about Group D.
The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group D.
Ghana: 25,000-1 odds
Ghana took home the U-20 World Cup last year. Their immense talent at the youth level will couple with the old guard to form a solid squad. Though much of the team that won at U-20 level isn't quite ready to perform at this stage, there are a couple players ready to step up. The defense is youthful, but were solid at the African Championships. The midfield is a little bare now that Michael Essien is out, but Sulley Muntari can fill in.....kind of. Look for Asamoah Gyan to have a good tourney as Ghana's main scoring threat.
Why they won't:
Remember Germany's problem? Well Ghana is in the same boat. Michael Essien is the Michael Ballack of Ghana, which is ironic because they both play their club soccer at Chelsea. Essiens absence is devastating for the Black Stars, he was the main reason why they gave Brazil a scare in the last 16 in 2006. Without him, Ghana is left toothless. A 4-1 loss at the hands of Holland is further evidence of this.
Projection:
Ghana will be inspired and hopeful of winning it on their home continent, but it's not going to happen. The loss of Essien is just too much for them to overcome. The youngsters should use this experience and be ready for the future, because they have the potential to win it.
Group D:
Australia: 200-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
The Aussies will have 2006 fresh in their minds. It was in Germany at the last World Cup where they played toe-to-toe with the eventual champions, Italy. Only a late dive by an Italian which earned a penalty prevented Australia from a penalty shootout. From there, anything could've happened. Though they didn't win that match, much respect was earned. Australia is a rugged side led by midfielder Tim Cahill. Cahill is one of the best headers of the ball in the world so watch out for him on set pieces. The Aussie defense allowed just one goal in qualifying, so that must be included among their strenghts. They also recently defeated the Dutch in a friendly.
Why they won't:
They're solid at goalie, defense, midfield, and.........what's missing? Oh ya, attack. They don't have a prolific striker to speak of. Joshua Kennedy is the best they can do. The journeyman striker is not who you want to rely on to win games. The midfield is capable of doing the scoring, but that can be a risky proposition.
Projection:
The Aussies have enough discipline and ruggedness to play with most teams, and this should spell a fairly successful tourney for them. Group D is sneakily good, but I see Australia taking second and bowing out in round of 16 again.
Germany: 25-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
"German efficiency". This is the perfect stereotype to describe German soccer. You can never count out the Germans because they simply find a way to advance. They've advanced to the knockout stage in every single World Cup since 1954, finished 3rd on home soil 4 years ago, and took 2nd in the European Championship. Germany is a star studded team is every department. The attack is once again led by Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. This pair has proven to be quiet "efficient" in the past. Midfield is a bit bare now that Michael Ballack is out due to injury, but look for Bastian Schweinsteiger (by the way, that last name translates to "pig seller" in German) and Mesut Ozil to have good tournaments. In defense, Philipp Lahm is one of the best left backs in the tournament, and world for that matter.
Why they won't:
The loss of Ballack may be more of a problem than I led on. He was the captain and leader of the squad for years and it's tough to call how the rest of the team will respond. Also, a loss to Argentina at home in a recent friendly rose some question marks as to how good this team is. Indeed it does seem that this German team is down in comparison to 4 or even 2 years ago. The defense in particular is not soundest of backlines.
Projection:
Remember that 1954 stat? Well it isn't ending here. Group D is solid, but Germany is clearly the cream of the crop. They will grind out the wins and advance with ease atop Group D. From there, I believe they have the squad to make a run at the cup, but a quarterfinals finish is most likely. Maybe even the semis if the draw is favorable.
Ghana: 25,000-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Ghana took home the U-20 World Cup last year. Their immense talent at the youth level will couple with the old guard to form a solid squad. Though much of the team that won at U-20 level isn't quite ready to perform at this stage, there are a couple players ready to step up. The defense is youthful, but were solid at the African Championships. The midfield is a little bare now that Michael Essien is out, but Sulley Muntari can fill in.....kind of. Look for Asamoah Gyan to have a good tourney as Ghana's main scoring threat.
Why they won't:
Remember Germany's problem? Well Ghana is in the same boat. Michael Essien is the Michael Ballack of Ghana, which is ironic because they both play their club soccer at Chelsea. Essiens absence is devastating for the Black Stars, he was the main reason why they gave Brazil a scare in the last 16 in 2006. Without him, Ghana is left toothless. A 4-1 loss at the hands of Holland is further evidence of this.
Projection:
Ghana will be inspired and hopeful of winning it on their home continent, but it's not going to happen. The loss of Essien is just too much for them to overcome. The youngsters should use this experience and be ready for the future, because they have the potential to win it.
Serbia: 200-1 odds
Why they'll win it:
Can you say "darkhorse"? Because Serbia might be one. They qualified in their group ahead of France, feature one of the best midfields in the tourney, and have an underrated defense. The aforementioned midfield is jampacked with talent, with Milan Jovanovic, Dejan Stankovic, and Milos Krasic. Krasic in particular is one of the most sought after players in Europe after a spectacular year at CSK Moscow. The defense is stout, with Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic of Man U and Chelsea fame forming a tight unit which will be hard to outmuscle. In attack is 6 foot 8 inch Nikola Zigic, who will obviously be a force in the air.
Why they won't:
A recent loss to lowly New Zealand almost made me cool off my praise of this team, but let's assume that was just a blip on the radar. Though Zigic is monstrously tall, he's awkward with his feet (understandable). That means the midfield will have to supply goals, which they're more than capable of. Vidic can be dominant, but he's also got a temper which can lead to red cards. You can't have that lack of discipline in a tourney like this.
Projection:
That New Zealand loss almost made me give up my darkhorse talk, but I'm sticking to my guns. that midfield is jampacked, and the defense is more than reliable. Zigic isn't prolific, but look for Krasic to introduce himself to the world with a great tournament. Serbia appears headed for a quarterfinals finish, and could indeed be the "darkhorse" of the tournament.
Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group E.
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