As I continued to postpone packing, I was flipping through the channels and I came across the CBS Sports channel who was replaying some of the early round games of this past NCAA basketball tournament.
The one I caught was Clemson Villanova. The perfect example of an awesome game that quickly goes forgotten amidst all the chaos of the first four days, arguably the most exciting in sports. Villanova, the 12 seed, won the game behind their chaotic zone, and a heroic performance by Scottie Reynolds, capping it off with a four point play in which he banked in a three after he got his defender in the air.
The officials were fairly bad, when they did choose to blow their whistles, but that wasn't so often, so the game had a nice flow to it. A few things did come up though that made me scratch my head.
1) Someone from Villanova managed to accomplish that illusive feat of wedging the ball between the rim and the backboard with a jumper. But somehow, that's a jump ball, which is stupid, that should obviously be the defensive team's ball.
And 2) A Villanova player cramped up after he went up for a dunk and was fouled. But the rules allow Villanova, not the opposing team like in the NBA, to pick someone to shoot the free throws. What a joke.
Oh, and 3) The one thing the NCAA did have on the NBA, at least in this game, was adequate room on the baselines between the game and the photographers. You could park a jumbo jet in the space that the cheerleaders and cameramen were apart from the court. How many times did KG or Paul Pierce go head over heels on top of some cameraman because they were too close to the floor, just like the soccer advertisements are too close to the pitch on the endlines, especially at like Fulham, Chelsea, Everton, etc..I get them all confused.
Kudos to Carlos Sastre. He earned it I guess. Le Tour is Bad ASS.
I also watched some of the replay of a Milan Classic, the game with Inter in which Dida was hit with that flare. He was kind of nonchalant before that, as all of this shit is raining down upon him, almost as if he was expecting to get hit, if you can watch the replay, check it out, bizarre. And I know its bad to stereotype, but those Inter fans are thugs at best. I mean good lord, how stupid and bad of losers can you be? I can see why all these Italians get killed with their riots, they have no sense of shame.
Gegegegegege, That's all folks, ne videm v praze
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Lisa Leslie Dropped!
Wow. In case you missed it, there was a fight in the WNBA, and it was awesome. They have the video on ESPN. What is that guy doing putting his hands on the face of the WNBA. Shame on him. They're calling it a heated rivarly, and an extension of the Lakers Pistons, and all the bad blood, bad boys of the 80s. What a joke. Lambeer is a joke, he was a joke then, and a joke now.
The tour was pretty incredible today too. Highest road in Europe, they're just up there in the sky with nothing even around the road. Too bad Vandevelde lost a bunch of time today, but its been enjoyable none the less.
And to keep it with the transfer theme, there's definately still a few big moves to be made. As an Arsenal fan, I'd give anything to get David Villa, even though it isn't going to happen. Adebayor had a great season, yes, but I still don't really trust him, he's no Henry. Villa on the other hand would give Arsenal the consistent finishing they so desperately need. And someone who can take free kicks with their right foot, which they somehow currently lack.
Power outages at RFK? Pretty weak MLS.
The tour was pretty incredible today too. Highest road in Europe, they're just up there in the sky with nothing even around the road. Too bad Vandevelde lost a bunch of time today, but its been enjoyable none the less.
And to keep it with the transfer theme, there's definately still a few big moves to be made. As an Arsenal fan, I'd give anything to get David Villa, even though it isn't going to happen. Adebayor had a great season, yes, but I still don't really trust him, he's no Henry. Villa on the other hand would give Arsenal the consistent finishing they so desperately need. And someone who can take free kicks with their right foot, which they somehow currently lack.
Power outages at RFK? Pretty weak MLS.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Midweek Check-up
This move isn't really a surprise. Hleb is awesome, I think he's still in his prime. I was watching Sky Sports and they were trying to say that Arsenal was better off without him, citing some stupid statistic, and then downplaying his role as a creator by making it look like he didn't have that many assists. But I can remember countless times he's put Baptista, Adebayor, Eboue, Hoyte, etc. on a platter and they've squandered a chance. I hope he does well at Barca.
Ronaldinho looks fat. That's a crowded midfield in Milan. I can't envision Pirlo, Ronaldinho, and Kaka all on the same team, and Milan might not even be done signing people. We'll see what happens.
There's still tons of other speculation as to who will end up where. It really is wild how little control clubs have, and how anyone can be snatched out from under them, even if they are under contract, bizzare.
Bob, I can't get enough of those tour commentators, they are just right up my alley. I find the tour to be super relaxing too, it might be in my top 5 sporting events.
And the Hornets get Posey. Hollinger is bashing it right away, but is he not exactly the kind of player that the hornets need? Just a Bonzi upgrade in my mind, its too bad we couldn't have gotten him for this year's playoff run and won that damn game 7, and embarassed those soft and overrated lakers.
Ronaldinho looks fat. That's a crowded midfield in Milan. I can't envision Pirlo, Ronaldinho, and Kaka all on the same team, and Milan might not even be done signing people. We'll see what happens.
There's still tons of other speculation as to who will end up where. It really is wild how little control clubs have, and how anyone can be snatched out from under them, even if they are under contract, bizzare.
Bob, I can't get enough of those tour commentators, they are just right up my alley. I find the tour to be super relaxing too, it might be in my top 5 sporting events.
And the Hornets get Posey. Hollinger is bashing it right away, but is he not exactly the kind of player that the hornets need? Just a Bonzi upgrade in my mind, its too bad we couldn't have gotten him for this year's playoff run and won that damn game 7, and embarassed those soft and overrated lakers.
Monday, July 7, 2008
All's quiet on the riverlake front...
I think Nadal and Federer might be the two best tennis players ever. No one has dominated the sport like Federer, and for Nadal to just own him like he does already, at 22 years of age, or whatever he is, is remarkable. Nadal still has a lot to prove, and more majors to win, but we have to mention his name along with the greats already, merely for this ridiculous feat he accomplished this year. I don't see him slowing down at all. The only thing that might get him is that dairy queen swirl he does on his forehand. That has to be stressful on the elbow, but he is such a physical specimen, it probably doesn't hurt him at all.
You've gotta love Federer though, what a class act, always gracious, even in defeat.
If there was ever a time to pay attention to the MLS, this would have to be it. This is probably the slowest sports time of the year, and with a full month until the Olympics, there's nothing but baseball with some golf and tennis sprinkled in. So whether its the Rapids, Red Bulls, Galaxy, Revs, or United, go ahead and jump on your local team's bandwagon, you've got nothing to lose.
You've gotta love Federer though, what a class act, always gracious, even in defeat.
If there was ever a time to pay attention to the MLS, this would have to be it. This is probably the slowest sports time of the year, and with a full month until the Olympics, there's nothing but baseball with some golf and tennis sprinkled in. So whether its the Rapids, Red Bulls, Galaxy, Revs, or United, go ahead and jump on your local team's bandwagon, you've got nothing to lose.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Check out these clips
If you've got 15 minutes check out a younger Zidane narrating through 8 of his favorite goals. I could watch him every day, it never gets old.
Better than Gerrard's
Dirty Bicycle
Best Counter attack Goal
Just skip to like 40 secs
Some strange, but sweet goals
What a routine from Khorkina
I saved the best for last
Better than Gerrard's
Dirty Bicycle
Best Counter attack Goal
Just skip to like 40 secs
Some strange, but sweet goals
What a routine from Khorkina
I saved the best for last
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Best XI
Hooray for Spain. I can only hope that I'll be able to have that sort of feeling of triumph after my country wins a major trophy that all of Spain must have felt Sunday night. Well, either that or an Oriole World Series will do, but I digress. Anyway, here's my best 11, what a tournament.
GK- Iker Casillas, He didn't have to do all that much this tournament, but how outstanding were those penalty saves? I think he bested Buffon right there, and took the title of the world's best keeper. Edwin Van der Saar gets honorable mention.
LB- Giovanni Von Brockhorst, Except for the Russia game, he had played essentially a perfect tournament. Its amazing what putting on your country's shirt can do, because he never looked to be half this player while at Barca. There were lots of other solid left backs, Zhirkov, the Croatian, but Gio gets the nod.
CB- Marchena, I kept waiting for him or Capedevilla to screw up, but it never happened. To think that Valencia had him, Villa, and Senna and were that poor is flabbergasting. He was the more confident of the two center halves this tournament, and he wasn't afraid to dribble his way out of trouble unlike the nervy Puyol.
CB- The other Kovac, I was expecting Croatia to be terrible at the back, and a lot more games like we saw against England, but I was wrong. This guy was as steadfast as they come, and he probably could have at least hit the target in their shootout with Turkey, unlike some of their better known stars. Honorable mention is the Russian Kolodin for unleashing those 50 yard daisy cutters vs Holland
RB- Sergio Ramos, Call him Jar-Jar Binks if you like, but for all his shortcomings he makes up for with his pure athleticism. He had his two best matches in the two most important games, and he only gets caught out because he's been given license to go forward because of his undeniable offensive skills. Any team would be lucky to have him. Boswinga was solid as well.
DMid- Marcos Senna, Sure defensive mids are overlooked, and its not a glamorous position, but I don't think its all that demanding either. Not to take anything away from Senna, he might be MVP of the Spanish team for the collective tournament, but if you have the energy, and are decent on the ball, this isn't all that difficult of a role to fill. I see Dirk Kuyt becoming one of these players before its all said and done. Honorable Mention is the dutch pair of Engelaar and De Jong
Attacking Mid- Andrei Arshavin Its pretty remarkable when we consider what he accomplished in three games. He's now a shoe in to sign for Barcelona or wherever. It only speaks volumes to the magnitude of this tournament because think about how good he probably was for Zenit all year long. H-mention- Xavi
RMid- Bastian Schweinsteiger He was the most dangerous German player in the knockout stages, no question. That finish against Turkey oozed of class. Its too bad that he got that red card, but it seemed to help him in the end.
LMid- Lukas Podolski He was more of a midfielder than a striker this tournament, and its impossible to think that he will remain on the Bayern bench to rott after this campaign. He looked much more dangerous than Klose, which makes me wonder. Just how good are Bayern with Klose and Toni as their goal sources. Sure its fine in the Bundesliga, but don't bet on them in Europe any time soon. Libor Sionko gets his honorable mention for being the only worthwhile Czech in the tournament.
CMid- Wesley Sneijder For a while there, it looked like the Dutch would cruise to the title with this man as the tournament MVP. But they found their bogey team in the Russians, and despite his best efforts, Sneijder couldn't find the target in that last desperate push where he had several clean looks at the Russian Goal. H-mention Van der Vaart
Striker- Fernando Torres, I guess he is the best striker in the world right now. He's got some moves in addition to his blazing speed, and he reminds me a bit of a young Thierry Henry the way he slices through not only the Premiership, but international defenses as well. I'll keep it with the countrymen theme and give Villa his honorable mention.
Let me know what you guys think, I'd like to see your opinions too.
GK- Iker Casillas, He didn't have to do all that much this tournament, but how outstanding were those penalty saves? I think he bested Buffon right there, and took the title of the world's best keeper. Edwin Van der Saar gets honorable mention.
LB- Giovanni Von Brockhorst, Except for the Russia game, he had played essentially a perfect tournament. Its amazing what putting on your country's shirt can do, because he never looked to be half this player while at Barca. There were lots of other solid left backs, Zhirkov, the Croatian, but Gio gets the nod.
CB- Marchena, I kept waiting for him or Capedevilla to screw up, but it never happened. To think that Valencia had him, Villa, and Senna and were that poor is flabbergasting. He was the more confident of the two center halves this tournament, and he wasn't afraid to dribble his way out of trouble unlike the nervy Puyol.
CB- The other Kovac, I was expecting Croatia to be terrible at the back, and a lot more games like we saw against England, but I was wrong. This guy was as steadfast as they come, and he probably could have at least hit the target in their shootout with Turkey, unlike some of their better known stars. Honorable mention is the Russian Kolodin for unleashing those 50 yard daisy cutters vs Holland
RB- Sergio Ramos, Call him Jar-Jar Binks if you like, but for all his shortcomings he makes up for with his pure athleticism. He had his two best matches in the two most important games, and he only gets caught out because he's been given license to go forward because of his undeniable offensive skills. Any team would be lucky to have him. Boswinga was solid as well.
DMid- Marcos Senna, Sure defensive mids are overlooked, and its not a glamorous position, but I don't think its all that demanding either. Not to take anything away from Senna, he might be MVP of the Spanish team for the collective tournament, but if you have the energy, and are decent on the ball, this isn't all that difficult of a role to fill. I see Dirk Kuyt becoming one of these players before its all said and done. Honorable Mention is the dutch pair of Engelaar and De Jong
Attacking Mid- Andrei Arshavin Its pretty remarkable when we consider what he accomplished in three games. He's now a shoe in to sign for Barcelona or wherever. It only speaks volumes to the magnitude of this tournament because think about how good he probably was for Zenit all year long. H-mention- Xavi
RMid- Bastian Schweinsteiger He was the most dangerous German player in the knockout stages, no question. That finish against Turkey oozed of class. Its too bad that he got that red card, but it seemed to help him in the end.
LMid- Lukas Podolski He was more of a midfielder than a striker this tournament, and its impossible to think that he will remain on the Bayern bench to rott after this campaign. He looked much more dangerous than Klose, which makes me wonder. Just how good are Bayern with Klose and Toni as their goal sources. Sure its fine in the Bundesliga, but don't bet on them in Europe any time soon. Libor Sionko gets his honorable mention for being the only worthwhile Czech in the tournament.
CMid- Wesley Sneijder For a while there, it looked like the Dutch would cruise to the title with this man as the tournament MVP. But they found their bogey team in the Russians, and despite his best efforts, Sneijder couldn't find the target in that last desperate push where he had several clean looks at the Russian Goal. H-mention Van der Vaart
Striker- Fernando Torres, I guess he is the best striker in the world right now. He's got some moves in addition to his blazing speed, and he reminds me a bit of a young Thierry Henry the way he slices through not only the Premiership, but international defenses as well. I'll keep it with the countrymen theme and give Villa his honorable mention.
Let me know what you guys think, I'd like to see your opinions too.
Si Si Senor
Hours away from kickoff now, and we're all but certain that this game won't feature Michael Ballack and David Villa. I'm more inclined to think that the Germans will miss Ballack more, but it isn't like he's their creator as much as he is their leader in every sense of the word. I have a funny feeling that this is going to be a strange game, with a few twists and turns along the way.
I can only imagine the legacy of this Spanish team if they capture victory today. They would obviously go down in Spanish history, but more than that, they will be remembered as the ones who pulled Spain out of their almost self-inflicted slump, and readjusted the footballing power scale of Europe.
I'm looking for Lehmann to have a big game, and mix it up a bit. Maybe he'll get in pretty boy Torres' face early like he likes to, and make some good saves thereafter. But the Germans are weak down the left. Aside from that goal, Lahm has been pitiful this tournament, and I look for Ramos, Silva, Iniesta, etc. to exploit him. The only problem is that Podolski and Schweinsteiger have proven that they can counter-attack before, and they'll be even more inclined to break down the right side when Ramos gets out of position.
Spain have been the best team in Europe for almost two years now, with their unbeaten exceeding 20 games. There's no reason to think that they can't beat this less than perfect German side. But I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Germany? In a final? Let's hope it doesn't go to penalties...
I can only imagine the legacy of this Spanish team if they capture victory today. They would obviously go down in Spanish history, but more than that, they will be remembered as the ones who pulled Spain out of their almost self-inflicted slump, and readjusted the footballing power scale of Europe.
I'm looking for Lehmann to have a big game, and mix it up a bit. Maybe he'll get in pretty boy Torres' face early like he likes to, and make some good saves thereafter. But the Germans are weak down the left. Aside from that goal, Lahm has been pitiful this tournament, and I look for Ramos, Silva, Iniesta, etc. to exploit him. The only problem is that Podolski and Schweinsteiger have proven that they can counter-attack before, and they'll be even more inclined to break down the right side when Ramos gets out of position.
Spain have been the best team in Europe for almost two years now, with their unbeaten exceeding 20 games. There's no reason to think that they can't beat this less than perfect German side. But I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Germany? In a final? Let's hope it doesn't go to penalties...
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