Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category
Euro 2008 Preview
Prior to the Olympics in August, we’ll have the completion of the NBA finals and a whole lot of baseball in the United States. If you’re generally bored with what will soon be the “Sports Abyss,” I recommend you turn your attention to the UEFA European (“Euro”) Championship, which starts Saturday.
The tournament is a 16-team group and knockout format. The group stage, which runs from Saturday until June 18 will provide a soccer showcase of some of the best talent in the world.
Over the next few days, I will break down the groups and offer my thoughts on who will my favorites are. The top two teams in each group–based on total points (three for a win, one for a tie)–will advance to the quarter finals. Now, here’s the groups (links to the posts on each will be up later):
Group A
- Czech Republic
- Turkey
- Switzerland (co-hosts)
- Portugal
Group B
- Poland
- Austria (co-hosts)
- Croatia
- Germany
Group C
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Romania
- France
Group D
- Spain
- Russia
- Greece
- Sweden
The Euro will be full of intrigue once again, as many story lines collide to make a scintillating event.
From Group A, can the Czech Republic overcome the absence of injured talisman Tomas Kosicky, after making a nice run at the World Cup? Or can Portugal and World Footballer of the Year-to-be Christiano Ronaldo put aside club transfer drama that threatens to be a major distraction?
In group B, two first-time qualifiers (Poland and Austria) and relatively inexperienced Croatia face off with three-time champion Germany.
The “Group of Death”, Group C, pits high-flying Holland and dark-horse Romania against the two World Cup finalists France and Italy. Along with being in the toughest group, Italy just suffered a huge loss with their captain and former World Footballer of the Year, Fabio Cannavaro, who injured ankle ligaments at a practice. All games from this group are sure to be great.
Group D has the odds-on favorites for the championship–Spain. They arguably have the greatest level of talent, but their history of concentration lapses in big competitions will be one of their largest opponents.
A more in-depth look at the history of the tournament, its teams, venues and results (starting Saturday, obviously) can be found via Wikipedia. The Times (of London) also has an interesting one-page “essential guide” to the event (pdf).
Wish I was there.
Quote(s) of the Day: England v. USA
In the aftermath of the USA’s unsurprising and less inspirational 0-2 loss to England, I give you this take from across the pond (emphasis mine):
A satisfying night for Fabio Capello with what was the most impressive of his three matches in charge – although all this must be placed in the context of some pretty lame American opposition. -BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty at Wembley
And
With the USA looking dead and buried the game was effectively over, which was all-but-confirmed when the crowd began the Mexican waves with 20 minutes still to go. -BBC Sport’s Andrew McKenzie
That’s On Point has the breakdown.
Becks Scores Soccer’s Version of Empty-Netter
This play by David Beckham in the closing minutes of the LA Galaxy’s game against Kansas City was pretty neat. As hockey season winds down, it is reminiscent of an empty-netter when the team down a goal pulls their goalie in a last-ditch effort to earn a tie.
It isn’t as impressive as the one that made him famous. Even in his twilight years, sometimes we all must still say “Take a bow, David Beckham.”
John Terry Slip Gives Man Utd Double
The class of Chelsea (aka the Evil Empire), John Terry, lost his footing while taking the penalty kick that should have ended the game for Chelsea in the shootout (mockingly, the Times of London has the image below on their front page). Instead, it sent the shootout to extra frames. Then, in the seventh round, Nicolas Anelka’s attempt was blocked by United’s keeper Edwin Van der Sar. The net result was a priceless (eventhough it was a shootout) finish of a closely contested game. A team leader on both sides missed a shot.
Christiano Ronaldo, scorer of an amazing 42 goals this season, managed to miss a penalty in the shootout as well. After the first half, the drama and tension was thick and both defenses solid. The final score line: 1-1 after regulation, 6-5 on penalties. Here’s the Times recap.
It will be interesting to see who return next season on both sides.
Also, here are two takes on yesterday’s game. The first is from That’s On Point, the other is Power Line.
Hopefully, anyone who was planning to watch this game and also reads this site had a chance to catch it. Otherwise they’ve been spoiled!
MLB Opening Day 2008
It is the last day in March and its baseball season again. For most Minnesota Twins fans, this means another month of what the rest of the country would call “winter.” This fan, however, gets to see spring and outdoor baseball (college) in March. The following are a few thoughts on the season to come.
First, the Twins, who are picked by Vegas to win 73.5 games, will probably be just above that mark near 80. The organization has established a core of players for when it gets into the new ballpark in two seasons and has shown the ability over recent history to call up the right players to get the impact they need.
That said, they’ve lost two rocks from their lineup. Gone are Johan Sanatana’s strike outs and wins along with Torri Hunter’s acrobatic defensive display in the outfield. In their place are relatively no-name players, which have been the real backbone of the Twins success (and struggles) over the past decade. In addition, they will be playing in the toughest division in the American League, if not the entire MLB. Getting to eighty and finishing fourth in the division is a very real possibility.
The Central Division is the strongest in the American League, but still may only place a single team in the playoffs. The wild card will most likely again go to either the Red Sox or the Yankees (with the other winning the division). From the central will either be the Indians or the Tigers. One of those four teams will win the world series, depending on who is hot at the end.
As for the other divisions and leagues, there really isn’t time, or a personal interest in breaking them all down. Story lines in the National League’s West Division will probably the most intriguing. Outside of that, I will try to avoid discussions of baseball with rabid Cub fans, per usual, at all costs.
Update (3/31): The Twins take their 3-2 over the Angels in the home opener under the Dome, while the Cities get dumped on. Minneapolis Star-Tribune Columnist Patrick Reusse tips his cap to the roof of teflon.
L is for Landycakes
It is Friday, so no more Fed talk. This weekend, in addition to the NCAA tournament sees the beginning of a new MLS season.
That’s On Point has a great rundown of what to watch for in the coming MLS season. I’ve followed the league regularly and finally made it to a “Beckham was injured” game last season. The author does a pretty good job with his alphabet, which covers a variety of storylines leading into this season.
What makes this season especially interesting is to see the development of young players that will become regulars on the national team. The MLS also does not present the barriers to play (although it isn’t the same level) for US nationals that Europe does through work permit requirements.
This article caught me because of its author’s mention of Landon, however, writing:
L is also for Landycakes, as in Landon Donovan. You can’t talk about MLS without mentioning the once and future poster boy for soccer in America.
Pretty good stuff, and it recognizes a sad reality of the professional sport in this country. Soccer will take a while to catch on in the US when the poster child rarely scores unless its a penalty kick. Oh, and his free kicks and set pieces (corner kicks) are downright awful 95% of the time(Adu awaits in the wings!)–95% because the US Men’s National Team came up with two goals off Donovan corners midweek in a friendly with Poland (note: Poland somehow made Euro 2008, while England did not). Was this luck, or did Landycakes get some pointers from Becks?
Sweet 16
Being out of town last week I missed out on my participation in the American tradition of filing out NCAA tournament brackets. Normally, I place pretty well, having won a bracket each of the past two years (I enter one event). Even as an event itself is really enjoyable as a cultural event because of its wide-reaching appeal. Outside of a few upsets, this edition has gone pretty well based on the selection committee’s seedings.
As such, I see three number ones making it through the sweet sixteen and elite eight. My final four is North Carolina, Kansas, UCLA, and #2-seed Texas. I don’t believe I’m showing a Big 12 bias, because Texas basically has a home game playing only a few hours down the road from Austin in Houston. North Carolina and UCLA also have relatively short commutes with Charlotte and Phoenix, respectively. The midwest regional, on the other hand, does not have a team relatively close to the venue.
Happy gaming!
Office Rumors 