My Analysis and what FIFA needs to do. Plus, What I'm doing next

Well, the last month has came and went in South Africa and across the world and we have a new world champion. Spain came in a high favorite and left with the gold cup heading for Madrid. After a surprise defeat in the opening game, Spain went on 6 game winning streak over the likes of Honduras, Chile, Portugal, Paraguay, Germany, and the Dutch. Impressive. They were also a big fan of winning 1-0 with the last four coming in that fashion. They also scored the least number of goals to win a world cup with 8 and only allowed 2(Chile & the Swiss). The team was overall solid and didn't have a major flaw other than maybe not having Torres step up after a poor run of form with injuries. Not only has the title of the team that couldn't win the big one been squashed, but the Spanish look prime for more glory with Puyol, Capdevilla, and Marchena being the only three players on the squad being 30+ years old. This side still has plenty left in the tank and their young reserves only seem to be getting better. It'll be interesting to see how Euro 2012 plays out.

On the other side, you have the Dutch who made the final for the third time and lost again. Their play was deceitful and annoying at times. Howard Webb was not the scapegoat for this game as he was put in awful positions by the players multiple times. I thought he did a fairly decent job with the game. More players should have been thrown off, but it's the final. A 9 on 8 situation doesn't look good for anyone. Van Persie was the most disappointing player not only in the game but through out the world cup. He didn't show a cutting edge that he does at Arsenal and looked lost behind Robben and Sneijder's domination. I still think this team has a lot to offer in the future with the core of their midfield still around and the strikers with plenty of potential. Stekelenburg showed he can play the #1 and the defense can only improve.


Overall, this World Cup was an interesting month. Powers were out before the group stage(France and Italy), a team walked out on the group phase(France) and a coach was not respected by the stars sand sent shitty lineups on the field(RAYMOND DOMENECH). Spain was the best team. Top to bottom, the lineup rules the SPL and ruled the world. Spain was the best league in the world and the best players were the ones that raised the golden trophy at the end of the day. It was a month of fun waking up at 7:30 hoping something would wake me up before the ten o'clock game hit.

With the domestic season right around the corner with friendlies happening around the world, I'd love to see how the high quality players react. They're getting at best a month off from top tier football and with more Euro qualifiers and friendlies due up, there is not much time for rest. I won't be surprised to see more injuries than ever in the first two months of games. It's sad, but teams want/need money and they will put their best players out for attendance benefits only to sacrifice their well being.


Anyways, the blog is just going to be an all around sports thing. I like to just write and what better way than to talk about what I love to watch too. The Red Sox are struggling with a bunch of AAAA players, Man Utd is in America, the B's/C's are in the offseason, and football is about to pick up heavy. Thanks to all who read and best wishes in the future.

Finals and Overview

A month after it began, the World Cup will be leaving us again for four years and return in Brazil. Like Lebron, it breaks hearts to see it end. However, we won't be burning it or writing letters to fans about loyalty. The final [its two countries who have never taken the cup on the final day. The Dutch and Spain have played wonderfully through out the tournament with slightly different paths.

The Dutch have yet to "drop" a point, winning every game with no draws. Since the group stage, they have carried form with from domestic league play with Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben dominating. The man everyone is waiting to wake up is Robin van Persie. Who are ya? Who are ya? He could give the Dutch the added advantage over Spain and it's sometimes lacking defense. Their D has been suspect at times, but whose hasn't. Will they get passed around? Will their midfield be able to hold the ball with Spain's possession game? Does a striker wake up and score? It'll be interesting for the Dutch.

On to the Spanish, and their crafty midfield. Torres being left on the bench isn't a surprise because he still looks injured. Pedro looked like a menace against the Germans consistently getting off strikes from midfield. Xavi, Iniesta, and Bisquets will be key for any success. The D has also been far from perfect even though they haven't given up a goal in knockout play. Lots of holes and missed chances from the Germans showed that Spain can be beaten even though they can hold possession for days.

I'm going with the Octopus and picking Spain because they're National Anthem is awesome and they have the best soul patch in the game. I don't expect it to be wildly open with Spain controlling most possession, but should still be entertaining. I'll give my thoughts on the whole world cup tonight. ABC, 2:30. Enjoy. I know I will.

Quarters

Well, this tournament is just fun from this point forward. The majority of top teams are all still in and the best football is ahead.

My predictions(Winners in CAPS):
DUTCH/Brazil
URUGUAY/Ghana
GERMANY/Argentina
SPAIN/Paraguay

I'm more than happy with the fact that Paraguay has equaled the success of my bracket. I love the amount of play that the South American countries provide on the pitch, they have shown they can play so well with the big boys. Germany's dominance over England shows they are more than real in my opinion. Argentina has absolutely that they can win with Maradona leading the charge. Spain, after their initial shock loss to Swiss, has come back to their real form with David Villa being the player of the tournament so far.

I think the knockout round is just one of the best things ever. Teams throw everything on the line, even when there is little hope. And the first game just proved that. Dutch, down 1-0, comes back and wins 2-1. A very, very interesting turn of events. I, personally, have not thought that Brazil had the quality to win a cup this year. It just didn't seem to come together.