Wasn't Phelps a building at TMS? Who could that possibly be named after anyway? I'd love to know. Anyway, they just showed the replay of the 4x200 free. Our anchorman had time to look over his shoulder in the pool, I mean, come on. Doug Hardy could have swam that last leg and brought home the gold.
I don't know if anyone saw, but Slavia Prague played Fiorentina last night for they're Champs League qualifier, obviously a pretty big deal in these parts. Gilardino won a free kick after like 90 seconds and Mutu tucked one into the top corner from like 25m. Fiorentina was alright, I guess, but Gilardino is looking more like the next Pippo Inzaghi. Its a wonder how these guys can kind of hide in Italy. Look at Schevchenko, dominant in Serie A, and we all know what happened at Chelsea. That's not to say that everyone in el calcio would be terrible elsewhere. Fiorentina has an awesome young striker Oswaldo or Osbaldo, he's gonna be a star. But I just wonder whether Pippo could have hid out at say Atletico Madrid for all those years just being a poacher. Check out Gilardino's dive, amongst some classic others in this video here... priceless. The music and title are perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ioyt2zzm530
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
In Honor of a Living Legend
Let's all just take a minute out of our days to praise George Hawes and his infinite baseball wisdom. There isn't another guy that I would want in my dugout going into the late innings. This praise is rooted on the grounds of his correct prediction that the rays "would be good this year, above 500." So hats off Ted, this posts' for you, let me know when they get to 82 wins.
Have they made fun of Brett Favre on The Soup yet? I feel like he is approaching Spears territory, every time he takes a piss you hear about it, and I don't even have espn.
Will you acclaim me as a football guru if I say that, "the Jets won't be that good this year." Probably under 500. In the words of Mr. Monk, "you've got thousands of psychics making millions of predictions each year, they're bound to get one thing right."
And finally what do you guys think is more important in our competition with the Chinese. Most total medals, or most golds. I think its gotta be most golds.
And finally, I thought that Wilhelm-Ross was tough growing up as a kid, imagine this. http://www.tsn.ca/olympics/story/?id=245865
Have they made fun of Brett Favre on The Soup yet? I feel like he is approaching Spears territory, every time he takes a piss you hear about it, and I don't even have espn.
Will you acclaim me as a football guru if I say that, "the Jets won't be that good this year." Probably under 500. In the words of Mr. Monk, "you've got thousands of psychics making millions of predictions each year, they're bound to get one thing right."
And finally what do you guys think is more important in our competition with the Chinese. Most total medals, or most golds. I think its gotta be most golds.
And finally, I thought that Wilhelm-Ross was tough growing up as a kid, imagine this. http://www.tsn.ca/olympics/story/?id=245865
Sunday, August 10, 2008
muje nedele (stop shooting kobe)
My sunday started early as I had to skate across town to catch my first Czech soccer match which featured Viktoria Zizkov and FK Teplice. I guess I need to see Sparta or Slavia play before I jump to any conclusions, but let's just say that the MLS has nothing to worry about. Zizkov scored as I was waiting at the gate with about 100 other people because the man working the tickets was about 97 years old and he had to rip them all off one by one. Then the first half was uneventful until about the 30th minute where I witnessed a goal for the own-goal hall of fame. Teplice's left back was under pressure but around midfield and he was forced to retreat towards his own goal, he kicked what looked like a pretty harmless ball back towards his keeper who found the only way possible to misjudge it, (although it did take a huge/trampoline like bounce) and the ball ended up in the net. I was sitting next to a couple Teplice fans who just shook their heads. Their expression didn't change much all day, because they were just awful. I don't know if they managed a shot on goal until like the 75th minute. Zizkov won 3-0.
After a little jazz in Old Town, I was back home just in time to see the Dutch snake that late equalizer and put our hopes of advancing to the knockout round in serious jeopardy. What a stupid foul that was by whoever, but we probably would take the position we were in if you asked us before the tournament.
And then I saw some of the US vs China. I thought it was pretty comfortable in the end, after we settled down, but there is a lot of room for improvement. For once, I think we are taking way too many jumpshots. Nobody but Michael Redd should be allowed to shoot a contested 3. Kobe more than anyone looked out of sync. LeBron however was outstanding. They kind of switched roles. Usually I'm yelling at LBJ for taking too many jumpers, but he attacked the glass. Wade was great too.
Sure China might not be the best barometer, but let's be honest. Is anyone going to be able to handle us in the paint. We should clear it out for LeBron or Wade every time. Dish to Howard, let teams foul him. They'll be fouled out by halftime. The only way I think we can lose is if some team has a mean zone and we fall in love w/ the three, or we just shoot terribly.
After a little jazz in Old Town, I was back home just in time to see the Dutch snake that late equalizer and put our hopes of advancing to the knockout round in serious jeopardy. What a stupid foul that was by whoever, but we probably would take the position we were in if you asked us before the tournament.
And then I saw some of the US vs China. I thought it was pretty comfortable in the end, after we settled down, but there is a lot of room for improvement. For once, I think we are taking way too many jumpshots. Nobody but Michael Redd should be allowed to shoot a contested 3. Kobe more than anyone looked out of sync. LeBron however was outstanding. They kind of switched roles. Usually I'm yelling at LBJ for taking too many jumpers, but he attacked the glass. Wade was great too.
Sure China might not be the best barometer, but let's be honest. Is anyone going to be able to handle us in the paint. We should clear it out for LeBron or Wade every time. Dish to Howard, let teams foul him. They'll be fouled out by halftime. The only way I think we can lose is if some team has a mean zone and we fall in love w/ the three, or we just shoot terribly.
Friday, August 8, 2008
arsenal ajax
I was lucky enough to get my sopcast going to watch arsenal ajax last night in ajax's prestigious preseason tourney. Ajax is a good team with an unsurprising mix of talented young players on the rise, and a few tested veterans on the tail end of their careers. This seems to be the MO of dutch football for the past few years, or at least what I've noticed.
Wenger didn't hold anything back in this one, this was the real deal. He didn't have Nasri and Diaby, and of course Rosicky won't be back til September (it's been long enough hasn't it?). So he was forced to choose the awful, woeful, shameful, Emmanuel Eboue to play on the right. I don't know if there's enough adjectives that do him justice. He was predictably poor, but by his own low standards, he wasn't that god awful, and he even had a nice cross that led to a goal for once.
The first 30 minutes were fairly even, but Ajax struck twice in a matter of minutes on 2 clinical finishes, (one courtesy of a trademark Eboue giveaway). But because this was a friendly, there wasn't but so much pressure on Arsenal to come back, and that's just what they did, all the way, to 3-2. Adebayor had a hand in all three goals, scoring 2 and setting Bendtner up for the third. If there's any team in the world that is more capable of erasing a two goal deficit than Arsenal, I'd like to see them. Sure their style leaves them open at the back, and it costs them on occasion, but this game was an example of the dividends that such a fluid, attacking style can pay.
Looking ahead to the season, the question still remains of who will play alongside Fabregas in the middle. I would have to imagine it would be a healthy Abu Diaby at this point, with Walcott looking poised to be a regular down the flanks this season with Hleb's departure. What an opportunity for Abu, the red sea that was Arsenal's central midfield when he arrived three years ago has parted, with Flamini, Gilberto both gone, he can move back into his natural position. But maybe Alex Song will push him for that role, if he can prove to be a good defensive mid in covering Fabregas. When Rosicky comes back, assuming everyone stays healthy, there will be quite healthy competition for playing time, something Arsenal rarely seems to have come mid-season.
Every Arsenal fan, every football fan for that matter knows Arsenal's weakness: durability. Sure I like all these kids, Nasri, Denilson, Walcott, and these Wilshire, Ramsay guys seem to be for real too, they wouldn't be in the shirt if they weren't. But Arsenal's demise the last two years has frustrated everyone with the club tremendously because it seems to be through injuries, and personnel issues. That being said, I have to say that I am shocked that Wenger didn't buy at least another experienced defender, I mean does he really want to watch poor old Senderos and Hoyte try and keep up with Tevez and Ronaldo all over again?! I hate to say it, I just don't see this year being any different.
If Van Persie and Rosicky can stay on the field with Fabregas and Adebayor, the goals will come, and we'll beat anyone in the world on our day, but over 38 games, the squad is just too vulnerable. Whether its Gallas' temperament, Adebayor casually drifting offside, or Eboue wasting a golden chance for the thousandth time, literally, Arsenal will have to play every game like its their last to stay with man united. I can almost see Wenger sitting there with his hand on his chin, with that same old irritated face I've grown so accustomed to, but as long as he continues to sit on his cash, I think we're in for another season of frustration. Hope I'm wrong.
Wenger didn't hold anything back in this one, this was the real deal. He didn't have Nasri and Diaby, and of course Rosicky won't be back til September (it's been long enough hasn't it?). So he was forced to choose the awful, woeful, shameful, Emmanuel Eboue to play on the right. I don't know if there's enough adjectives that do him justice. He was predictably poor, but by his own low standards, he wasn't that god awful, and he even had a nice cross that led to a goal for once.
The first 30 minutes were fairly even, but Ajax struck twice in a matter of minutes on 2 clinical finishes, (one courtesy of a trademark Eboue giveaway). But because this was a friendly, there wasn't but so much pressure on Arsenal to come back, and that's just what they did, all the way, to 3-2. Adebayor had a hand in all three goals, scoring 2 and setting Bendtner up for the third. If there's any team in the world that is more capable of erasing a two goal deficit than Arsenal, I'd like to see them. Sure their style leaves them open at the back, and it costs them on occasion, but this game was an example of the dividends that such a fluid, attacking style can pay.
Looking ahead to the season, the question still remains of who will play alongside Fabregas in the middle. I would have to imagine it would be a healthy Abu Diaby at this point, with Walcott looking poised to be a regular down the flanks this season with Hleb's departure. What an opportunity for Abu, the red sea that was Arsenal's central midfield when he arrived three years ago has parted, with Flamini, Gilberto both gone, he can move back into his natural position. But maybe Alex Song will push him for that role, if he can prove to be a good defensive mid in covering Fabregas. When Rosicky comes back, assuming everyone stays healthy, there will be quite healthy competition for playing time, something Arsenal rarely seems to have come mid-season.
Every Arsenal fan, every football fan for that matter knows Arsenal's weakness: durability. Sure I like all these kids, Nasri, Denilson, Walcott, and these Wilshire, Ramsay guys seem to be for real too, they wouldn't be in the shirt if they weren't. But Arsenal's demise the last two years has frustrated everyone with the club tremendously because it seems to be through injuries, and personnel issues. That being said, I have to say that I am shocked that Wenger didn't buy at least another experienced defender, I mean does he really want to watch poor old Senderos and Hoyte try and keep up with Tevez and Ronaldo all over again?! I hate to say it, I just don't see this year being any different.
If Van Persie and Rosicky can stay on the field with Fabregas and Adebayor, the goals will come, and we'll beat anyone in the world on our day, but over 38 games, the squad is just too vulnerable. Whether its Gallas' temperament, Adebayor casually drifting offside, or Eboue wasting a golden chance for the thousandth time, literally, Arsenal will have to play every game like its their last to stay with man united. I can almost see Wenger sitting there with his hand on his chin, with that same old irritated face I've grown so accustomed to, but as long as he continues to sit on his cash, I think we're in for another season of frustration. Hope I'm wrong.
games of the whatever olympiad
I remember watching those opening cermonies as a kid with great interest. But its all just a big spectacle, I guess the only interesting thing is seeing these countries you never knew existed before.
To take it off soccer for a second, there has to be a lot of interest in the basketball competition, especially for Americans. I haven't really looked at the groups, but I'm assuming its a standard format, just like Eurocup was. Even if we slip up and lose a game, I'm assuming we make it to the quarters without any problems. Sure we will be the favorites to win, but you know Argentina, Greece, Spain, or whoever will have something to say. The Czech coverage of the Olympics is pretty thorough, its basically going to be on two channels 24/7, showing all those games you wish you could see, but never get a chance to.
I just wonder whether or not that crazy rule where you can hit the ball of the rim might end up hurting us. If Dwight Howard can remember that he's allowed to take every thing off of the rim, just think about how many shots aren't going in. Yeah, its a lot to ask, and our guys probably won't be able to relearn their entire basketball muscle memories and mentality, but suppose they just remember on occasion. Lebron, or even Melo could be snatching everything off of the rim that doesnt go straight down. If we're in a tight game, and I'm sure we will be, just make a note to yourself every time you see a chance for a player to do it, I'll be watching too.
And by the way, the first National CD, Alligator, is better than the second, Boxer.
I think I'm gonna go to my first Czech first division match this Sunday, we'll see how it goes. And happy trails "sidewinder" Chad Bradford, who knew we were paying you that much. But I hate to see one of my dad's favorite Orioles go.
To take it off soccer for a second, there has to be a lot of interest in the basketball competition, especially for Americans. I haven't really looked at the groups, but I'm assuming its a standard format, just like Eurocup was. Even if we slip up and lose a game, I'm assuming we make it to the quarters without any problems. Sure we will be the favorites to win, but you know Argentina, Greece, Spain, or whoever will have something to say. The Czech coverage of the Olympics is pretty thorough, its basically going to be on two channels 24/7, showing all those games you wish you could see, but never get a chance to.
I just wonder whether or not that crazy rule where you can hit the ball of the rim might end up hurting us. If Dwight Howard can remember that he's allowed to take every thing off of the rim, just think about how many shots aren't going in. Yeah, its a lot to ask, and our guys probably won't be able to relearn their entire basketball muscle memories and mentality, but suppose they just remember on occasion. Lebron, or even Melo could be snatching everything off of the rim that doesnt go straight down. If we're in a tight game, and I'm sure we will be, just make a note to yourself every time you see a chance for a player to do it, I'll be watching too.
And by the way, the first National CD, Alligator, is better than the second, Boxer.
I think I'm gonna go to my first Czech first division match this Sunday, we'll see how it goes. And happy trails "sidewinder" Chad Bradford, who knew we were paying you that much. But I hate to see one of my dad's favorite Orioles go.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The thing about Brett Favre...
http://premierfantasy.soccernet.com/
the name of the league is usual suspects, and the password is soccer.
Great News for all you Jet fans out there, finally the QB to solve all your problems. When does football start anyway? Its hard to tell b/c NFL Live is on every night year round.
the name of the league is usual suspects, and the password is soccer.
Great News for all you Jet fans out there, finally the QB to solve all your problems. When does football start anyway? Its hard to tell b/c NFL Live is on every night year round.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Fantasy Camp + Girls Soccer
Hi everybody, as you may have guessed I'm safely in Prague by now, and teaching and whatnot. That Menomena Animal Collective was just a note to myself for some concerts that are coming here for all you die hards.
I'm gonna make the usual fantasy league for the premeirship on soccernet, but make your team quick. Kickoff is the 16th.
I happened to stumble upon the review of all the women's action from the preliminary rounds of the Olympics today. Fresh off my humbling at the hands of the University of Richmond Women's Soccer team, (I played in a pick-up game with them, and a few men's players right before I left) I was intruiged enough to watch it through. The one thing about Czech TV,(well, there's a couple of things) but for one, there are no commercials. Its really comprehensive and unbiased. I mean, there are some commercials, but they lump them all together in five minute chunks over like three hours, so there's practically none. Hence, you can really get into a program.
Anyway, there were some incredible matches. Brazil is sick, with Ronaldinho in the stands, he might have his female counterpart with whichever girl is wearing that 10 shirt out there, but she couldn't do enough to get past ze Germans as they played to a 0-0 tie. Japan looks good too, and they might be the only other team in the class of those two, save maybe China.
Our women were gross. Norway scored two quick goals, kind of flukey on the first one, but a classy second one, and we were shell shocked. About the response you'd expect from a bunch of girls. And yeah, they are just girls, and if there's one who's a lot faster than the others, then thats all it takes, just like Corey Prior. But when you get on the field with them, they are not as bad as they seem.
Ill post the password for the league once i get it to work.
I'm gonna make the usual fantasy league for the premeirship on soccernet, but make your team quick. Kickoff is the 16th.
I happened to stumble upon the review of all the women's action from the preliminary rounds of the Olympics today. Fresh off my humbling at the hands of the University of Richmond Women's Soccer team, (I played in a pick-up game with them, and a few men's players right before I left) I was intruiged enough to watch it through. The one thing about Czech TV,(well, there's a couple of things) but for one, there are no commercials. Its really comprehensive and unbiased. I mean, there are some commercials, but they lump them all together in five minute chunks over like three hours, so there's practically none. Hence, you can really get into a program.
Anyway, there were some incredible matches. Brazil is sick, with Ronaldinho in the stands, he might have his female counterpart with whichever girl is wearing that 10 shirt out there, but she couldn't do enough to get past ze Germans as they played to a 0-0 tie. Japan looks good too, and they might be the only other team in the class of those two, save maybe China.
Our women were gross. Norway scored two quick goals, kind of flukey on the first one, but a classy second one, and we were shell shocked. About the response you'd expect from a bunch of girls. And yeah, they are just girls, and if there's one who's a lot faster than the others, then thats all it takes, just like Corey Prior. But when you get on the field with them, they are not as bad as they seem.
Ill post the password for the league once i get it to work.
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