Friday, June 18, 2010

The best moment in Ravshan Irmatov's Life

England looked very uninspired today. I've seen a bunch of Premiership games, they are fast. Up and down. It looked like 11 guys loafing around. England was on cruise control most of the game and Algeria even looked good till they sort of ran out of gas.

On a side note, Donovan's goal today right at the head of the keeper was the best goal of the WC so far.

Stop your loafing.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Mexico!!!


The ever competitive team. Mexico beats France and looks to advance in their group.

MEXICO!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

France v Mexico... Critical

Critical indeed. I'm pulling for all teams in this hemisphere. But how does Mexico stack up against France within the bubble of the World Cup? Not as good. Goals for are close with France having the advantage: 1.86 to 1.63. Close. But France has the goals against advantage and in this years WC that seems to be the difference maker. Mexico tends to allow too many. I'll add on top of that, this: Mexico let one get by against what is turning out to be a weak team in South Africa. But you have to give them a pass there... South Africa is hosting. France showed nothing against Uruguay (who looks good). Should be a great game.

One thing Mexico has is "the passion". I hope they pull this one off. But I think it will ultimately be France that wins this match outright.

Now wait a minute... What does English soccer fans have to do with any of this? heh heh. Found a pic!

Host Nation Trouble

My predicted Group A:

France: Winner
South Africa: Runner Up
Uruguay
Mexico

South Africa's chances took a huge hit today by loosing to Uruguay 3-0. Uruguay is now out in front of the Group with 4 pts and +3 in the goal category. Mexico has a huge chance now to beat France and take control of the Group with Uruguay. Make no mistake. A very big game tomorrow between the two. A win by either would all but eliminate South Africa.

Why is that a big deal? Well... A host nation has never (I repeat, NEVER) been left behind in the Group Stage. A 0-0 draw tomorrow between Mexico and France is the best our hosts can hope for.

On top of the host nation making it out of the GS 100% of the time, it has actually won the thing 1/3 of the time.

Year:Host Nation:Finish
1930:Uruguay:Champions
1934:Italy:Champions
1938:France:Quarterfinals
1950:Brazil:Runners-up
1954:Switzerland:Quarterfinals
1958:Sweden:Runners-up
1962:Chile:Third place
1966:England:Champions
1970:Mexico:Quarterfinals
1974:West Germany:Champions
1978:Argentina:Champions
1982:Spain:Round 2
1986:Mexico:Quarterfinals
1990:Italy:Third place
1994:United States:Round 2
1998:France:Champions
2002:Korea Republic:Fourth place
2002:Japan:Round 2
2006:Germany:Third place
2010:South Africa:????

Even the unprecedented co-hosting of the WC resulted in both teams making it out of the GS. While South Africa's chance to make it still exists, they are now slim. They need that scoreless tie tomorrow and a huge win against France on June 22nd with a mess of goals.

Go Uruguay!!!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

3 Coins in a Fountain.

My third year anniversary of writing here happened on June 10th. I set out on this journey with the intention of one day publishing this to book form (printed ink). When I started out there was about one place that had a service for blogs to be printed. Now there are several, but the best is still Blurb.

I got the idea from a simple picture book my great aunt Mona Omie did in 1931 for a brief time when she was in school to be a nurse. A simple thing she did for a brief time, but means so much to me now.

http://www.youtube.com/user/billysasquatch

That link is for if the internets still exist in the year 2110.

It's always in the back of my mind to have this stuff printed so that one day, a hundred years from now, a Johnson from some relation or another could pull up as an insight to me or the time or a better understanding of themselves.

Happy Anniversary Helltown. Nice work. Your mission; a release valve to hardworking day doing whatever, wherever - is holding strong.

Three coins in a fountain
Each one seeking happiness...

Fired Up, but Focused

The WC is cruising along and I'm missing it (pesky work thing!). But we (me) here at Helltown just needs the numbers, baby. At least I keep telling myself that.

North Korea v. Brazil.

On the surface? A crazy result. But dig below that first level and you'll see it is not. You could say; "Brazil has won 64 games in the WC and North Korea just 1". You could say; "Brazil - 201 goals scored... N. Korea - 5". But wait! It's what happens on the field when you are there is what matters! N. Korea averages 1.25 goals in those few games... Brazil 2.18. Brazil allows .91 goals a game... N. Korea: 2.25. Final score was Brazil 2 / N. Korea 1. History was in control here.

Hindsight is 20/20 though. It's easy for me to state that after the fact. I've already missed the Algeria v Slovenia result (which will haunt me).

Cote d'lvoire v Portugal was a semi surprising result, but again their combined goals for was even (1.7 goals per for both), but that doesn't cancel out. The Ivory Coast allows a couple goals per game verse Portugal's stingy 1.11. The Ivory Coast defense did something unexpected and special. That said, goal scoring is a little down this year for what ever reason. At least early on.

So what about tomorrow? Shall I step out onto a limb and predict because I'm acting like a know it all? Wait... what's that I hear???

Honduraaaaaasssssss!!!! v Chile.

What's the line. First up. Low scoring. Chile averages 1.24 goals a game verses .67 for Honduraaaassss! Same story on goals against. Chile allows 1.6 (about the WC median) v. 1.0 for Honduraaaaasssss! So... bottom line. Both struggle with scoring a bit and Honduraaaaassss! can't make up enough in offense. If it isn't a nil nil tie it will be 1-0 one way or another. The chances of one team scoring two are slim, however, I will qualify with the relative inexperience of Honduraaaaasssss!

What I am saying is that it is highly unlikely that Honduras will score more then one goal. If they do? I'll declare a national Honduras day here in Columbus.

Okay. Honduras has never won a WC game, but they are due... I know it. I just do. My heart tells me so.

Would I like either Honduras or Chile playing a European team in their first game? Yes. I'm pulling for both of them as I am Uruguay and Paraguay. Little Paraguay. I'm pulling for them all.

Oopsy daisy

Dear People out there in the world,

Please know the difference between North and South Korea.

Yours,

Me.

Sigh. Communism / Republic. That "war" thing a ways back. Hey, they both start with K.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Photos to Prove It


Germany dominated in their opening group game and it was a joy to hear Martin and Ally call the game.

Germany seems to do very well in opening games but to jump all over the Socceroos was a bit unusual. The Germans average over 2 goals a game but the Australians only give up a point and a half, slightly better then all WC participants. Opener only... yes. But the question is this... is Germany this good or is Australia that bad?

Will Vuvuzela Make it out of the Group Stage?

I thought the issues were resolved but the Vuvuzela has just made news again with the World Cup Organizing Chief stating on the topic of should the Vuvuzela be banned:

"If there are grounds to do so, yes.

"We have heard from the broadcasters and other individuals and it is something we are evaluating on an ongoing basis."

He continued: "We have tried to get some order with it. We have asked for no vuvuzelas during national anthems or anyone is making an announcement. I know it is a difficult question but we are trying to manage it as best we can.

"This matter has been raised on many occasions and my personal view is that I would prefer singing. It has always been a great generator of a wonderful atmosphere in the stadiums and we will try to encourage them to sing because that is the strength.

"In the days of the struggle, we were singing - we did not blow anything, we were marching and singing.

"All through our history it is our ability to sing which really inspires and draws the emotions.

"It is a huge debate and it will continue, but we did say that if one lands on the pitch in anger then we will not think twice and take action."

I respect that he is trying to put the feelings of the fans over his own even while he does not prefer them. I also like that they have asked them not to be blown during the national anthems. I disliked the first couple games yesterday where those things were drowning out the anthems. I have gotten use to the ever present racket at this point.

Mr. Jordaan's comments are interesting because I thought the topic was decided. The reason I am bringing it up here a 2nd time is due to the fact that it has created a unique TV viewing experience and is something that will probably be remembered from this years WC. A a so called future "touch stone topic" that will be brought up again and again in years to come by our friends at ESPN. So look for each time the 2010 WC is mentioned... the Vuvuzela will be as well. ESPN just can't help themselves.

Touch Stone Topic Example: "Tim Howard is one of the best keepers in the World, just so happens he plays for the United States." - Alexi Lalas. Over and Over.

Example 2: Lalas dismissing every team in America's group. How about we prove that we can beat a nation of 2 million before stating that.

Stay strong Alexi. Stay Strong.