And Then There Were 4
So in the wake of what’s supposed to happen versus what did happen I couldn’t be happier with our Final Four. Watching France knock off Brazil was the first time I was truly happy after watching a...
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See, the Italians ARE divers. Statistics don’t lie.
Goals, yellow cards, blah blah blah. Everybody, from fifaworldcup.com to ESPN Soccernet has that kind of stuff. If you want the real numbers – the kind of stats that settle bar bets and make us...
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Picks on Semifinal Eve
First we predict, then we watch, then we analyze: On the eve of the 2006 World Cup semifinals, I can’t help but think 1 thing; haven’t we got here way too fast? I mean, it was yesterday Jeff and I...
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Forza Azzurri!
Top 5 moments in my life: April 8th, 1983…I am born …reserved for July 9th, 2006… Italy defeats Germany, advancing to World Cup 2006 finals Tampa Bay Bucs win Super Bowl 37 Vegas, Late May to Early...
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France-Portugal, Semi-Live
It’s not often that I’ve had to watch the Cup at my desk, fortunately there’s a decent TV handy. And it gives me the chance to pull photos off the wire as they come down, and to make some comments as...
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Soccer and the Mainstream Media
Today won’t be remembered for anything in particular, I don’t think. People are still talking about Ken Lay becoming worm food, but that was yesterday. Dubya turns 60, and I expect pony rides will be...
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A Proverbial Omelet of Soccer Happenings
We got missiles firing off from Korea, we got corrupt businessmen dying coincidentally before their prison term, we got space shuttles docking at space stations, CIA agents and spy’s getting arrested...
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The Red Headed Step Child of the World Cup
So one of the deputy sports editors comes up to me in the middle of the consolation match and starts getting on my case about watching such a meaningless event. I tell him, why not watch it if it’s...
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A Most Unsatisfying Conclusion
…of course I was pulling for Les Bleus. But that aside – penalty kicks are certainly no way to end what was an otherwise very entertaining World Cup. It was like having an incredible steak dinner, and...
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Was It Something I Said?
So why exactly did Zinedine Zidane go all running-of-the-bulls on Marco Materazzi in yesterday’s World Cup Final? Apparently it’s got something to do what what the Italian defender said to Zizou....
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A Most Satisfying Conclusion
There’s 1 of 2 things you can feel walking away from the 2006 World Cup; A) You can overlook all the underlying issues and be satisfied with an Italian victory or B) Put everything under a microscope...
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Some Post WC Happenings
Gotta love the Associated Press. Post World Cup they have been pumping out every single tidbit imaginable going on with Club teams and National teams of the like. Being as how we work at a newspaper,...
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FIFA Rankings Madness
After a card and controversy laden World Cup, you’d think the world sport’s governing body would want some quiet time. Instead, FIFA released its newest rankings yesterday (the blog was down, so sorry...
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The Zizou Zamba
Another News of the Weird-type story: A song parodying Zinedine Zidane’s head-butt in the World Cup final has rocketed to the top of the French music charts. "Coup de Boule," or the "Head-Butt," pokes...
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Sepp Blatter is at it again
The ruthless dictator of FIFA, Sepp Blatter has announced at a post World Cup conference that he and the organization are trying to arrange a meeting for Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi so they...
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Just what was said to Zidane?
Apparently not content with being known as the guy that Zinedine Zidane headbutted in the World Cup Final, Marco Materazzi is trying to make a little money for UNICEF off the incident. Yes, it’s true,...
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Zidane on shortlist for player of the year
Yes, Mr. Head Butt is one of 30 male soccer players that will be considered by FIFA for the award of Player of the Year. Today, they announced those that would be conisdered and France’s Zinedine...
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Gamesmanship? How about cheating.
It’s official ladies and gentlemen, most players laying hurt on the pitch in Germany were faking their injuries. FIFA’s chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak told a group that "too many players" feigned...
View ArticleWhy the World Cup is special to me
It goes without saying that the FIFA World Cup is special. There are very few less obvious statements. Still, the world’s greatest sporting event has a special meaning to many that enjoy the games each...
View ArticleHow to make the World Cup Semifinals: Beat or draw the US
2010 South Africa is the ninth FIFA World Cup to include the United States, and the sixth appearance in a row for the Americans. While that in itself is an impressive feat, especially for a country...
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