World Cup Special

I can't possibly describe the overwhelming emotions I felt during the World Cup so I've decided to give you a bang-bang breakdown of the notable players in the 06 tourny that dominated my life.

Group A

Ze Germans

Jens Lehman - No particularly unbelievable saves but certainly no goals against that made me think Kahn would have been there. I tend to think that the less you notice the goal keeper when thinking about the game, the better.

Schweinsteiger - Possibly the most German name on the team. The hair-do didn't help the stereotype either. His arian looks aside, his rub-it-in goal against Portugal to put Deutschland up 3-nil was typically German in that it said - we score in an efficient manner. It was a great goal.

Frings - speaking of great goals, Torsten had a real banger against Costa Rica. The stuff dreams are made of actually. That had to be Schwein's easiest assist he's ever gotten. One of my top 5 for sure. Not too bad on defense either - although I do remember him being beaten, I may get back to you on this.

Neuville - Sub of the year possibly even though I still didn't feel like he wow'ed me. He did have the advancing goal against Poland so I guess he did a good job of doing his job.

Klose - What a sniper. I still don't know how he got to the Ecuador one and I actually feel that Ecuador was a sick squad who may have deserved to advance. Either way, Klose certainly shut me up and helped remind me how forwards should finish.

Ballack - if you watched the highlight before you'll notice it was Ballack's pass. He did that alot - make great decisions. If he hadn't made the headlines so much and been so hyped I would have thought he played just fine, but all the media made it seem like he should have done more. I think he played just like a captain would.

Lahm - The only reason he made the blog is because of this. It was the first goal of the world cup mind you - this had me absolutely jacked to watch every minute of every game. Thanks Philipp. (I don't appreciate the two p's) Sorry to Costa Rica too - this match had to happen this way.

Podolski - dreadfully German as well. I know that has a negative connotation, but I don't mean that. He had a great WC and a nice efficient goal against Sweden along with 2 others. I feel like I noticed him on alot of important German plays too- thats always good.

Ecuador - I tried to imply it earlier, but I think this team should have beaten England. I know I'm biased though.

Delgado - Agustin, not Carlos. He had two goals as a result of phenomenol teamwork, which is partly why I liked this squad so much. Two things I loved about him - he looked like a happy 3 year old after he scored and his celebration made me smile... alot.

Tenorio - Carlos, not Edwin. This man absolutely stunned Poland, whom I must say was doomed from the start to be in Germany's group. I'm beginning to notice how Group A beat the hell out of Costa Rica and also that Ecuador's highlights all involve 5+ great passes.

Hurtado - I don't know much about him except that he anchored what I would consider one of the top 5 defenses in the Cup. A rarity considering this team was South American.

Poland - if they didn't beat Costa Rica, somebody was being poisoned.

Group B

Inglaterra - Ah yes, England. I have alot to write about.

Cole - the one that scored a gem against Sweden, not Ashley. Kinda looping and... well here. I will take a moment here to note that I don't think I've ever called a goal a fluke. I remember peers complaining this was a fluke... trust me, he meant to do that. Everytime a shot goes 100 meters in the air and you think, what a mule, they were trying to do what Joe just did.
* - The announcer is phenomenal for his goal. Brilliant.

Cole - Ashley had a great defensive World Cup. Sound is the word I would use (and just did).

Lampard - I rushed Cole just because I knew Frank was next. Wow. When the video game Fifa 07 has programmed into the announcer's commentary when Lampard first touches the ball, "Lampard - he didn't have quite the world cup he was hoping for (British accent)," everybody knows its bad. All I remember is that Lampard missed a life-death PK (aren't they all though - shut-up) and consistently shot over the goal. 24 Shots and a missed PK. Yowza.

Ferdinand - Rio of course. Jim loves this name. Everytime Rio touched the ball Jim would pretend commentate in a heavy British accent, "RIO FERDINAND!!!"

Terry - A phenomenal World Cup all around. What a memorable save too. Possibly historic. By the way, try to ignore at the beginning of that highlight David Beckham giving The Robot a perfect ball with no results. But don't worry, I'm getting to David.

Beckham - This man made me hate English fans. British fans, media and coaches wanted more from him. They screamed and cried he was overrated. I couldn't believe this. Beckham scored the only and deciding goal against Ecuador from a free-kick. His exact specialty that fans and media claimed shouldn't be the only reason he was kept on. He scored another sick goal against Paraguay that was called an own-goal... it brushed the man's hair with no redirection. He put the first and game winning goal onto Crouch's head against Trinidad and Tobago and numerous other disgusting plays. This man was not in the shoot-out against Paraguay and that made me glad they lost. Shortly after he was practically forced to relinquish his captain's band because he won't be back. Thank God he's coming to America - we'll appreciate you over here David.

Gerard - see section on Lampard. Gerrard at least had two goals, albeit it no game-winners. His goal against Trinidad had me wondering where the hell those shots were later. I think I'll remember the missed PK though. I'll never forget on a shank once the spanish announcers literally asked what he was doing.

Rooney - I'm chuckling now just thinking about his game. I think I'll go with, overly thugish. His red card hurt alot. I was happy that the fans I've grown to hate at least backed him up on the reddy.
[I just checked the stats - he only had 3 fouls. My guess was 20, I'm confused...]

Owen - unremarkable

Crouch - about as uncoordinated as he looks. Which was surprising to me because this is biggest stage. I say he's bad, people I know say he's good, I think Sven settled the debate.

Sweden - The tie with Tobago hurt but the tie with England had to have been euphoric. They advanced too - quit complaining.

Larrson - Henrik had the late England stunner and that's about it.

Ibrahimovic - he got in there a few times... that's about it too. 9 shots, 5 on goal. Keep in mind this team had 3 goals total, 1 win and was shut-out against England. Still though, don't complain.

*I had no idea vic was capable of this

Paraguay - simply because I feel the need to comment on every South American team. This squad was surprisingly bad. No chemistry whatsoever and ugly uniforms. Boo.

Group C - the actual group of death

Argentina - realize that I can't actually enjoy this team.

Cambiasso - great soccer name. If you remember the name its because of this. People really freaked out about 24 passes. OMG!!! Not so much. My feeling is that soccer should be like that - up until Crespo's sweet little heel touch that is.

I wanted to not write this - but he almost shanks the goal, he really does.

Saviola - Javier didn't really show me anything. This is important because Tevez and Messi sat the bench for him. Knowing that already had me sort of rooting against him.

Crespo - one of my personal favorite players. I remember loving him when he was overshadowed by Batistuta. This goal kind of summarizes his career in my eyes. You can't argue with the scoreboard and thus you cannot argue with Hernan.

Riquelme - first off its important to note he was in that sweet Addidas commercial when Jose tells him to shake his bon'bons when he gets the ball. This commercial was easily the best of the Cup. Anyway, Juan was a brilliant passer, a great leader and plays how I wish I could play. He's the Steve Nash of soccer.

Tevez - loved his horrible burns in HD, really just lovely. Besides that I like his style of play. Tevez reminds me of Rooney without the soccer hooligan aura. You didn't lose anything when Tevez came on and with how Saviola played, Argentina may have been gaining. I also have a bias for short soccer players.

Messi - I don't think I should write about him because I'd just be adding to the hype. I'll let him do his thing.

Maxi Rodriquez. If you didn't just get goosebumps you need to check your pulse.

Nick said the way he'd announce this goal would be to remain silent for several minutes, then after say 7 minutes of game play passed by he would say, "stunned" and nothing else.

The different commenators - My word. Tranquilo Argentina, Tranquilo. Bien Pive.

Netherlands - a great team to watch. Dreamy jerseys and exciting pace. The spanish announcers had a field-day with their names too.

Van Nistelrooij - see what I mean. Ruud played no better or worse than expectations. Solid.

Robben - this man in my opinion had the most unexpected performance in the tourny. He was everywhere. He consistently set the pace and was 2/3 of their offense. His WC reminded me of Beltran on the Astros - you just knew he was getting paid after it was all over.

Van Persie - Tall, lanky and terribly athletic. He reminded me of a gazelle out there and complemented Robben well. This team really only had 3 players. He was one of them. I have to admit I was a little upset they kept out Ivory Coast.

oh and - Van Persie mit ah blasten dubenzay! ****Jim - they've taken down the dutch announcing due to "copyright infringement"... unbelievable.

Cote d'Ivoire - the power of the World Cup -> the Ivory Coast temporarily stopped slaughtering eachother in civil war just to get behind this team. Good call.

Drogba - easily the most intimidating African on the planet. This man is a cold blooded assassin and could not have looked sweeter in all orange. This individual made watching the Ivory Coast fun. He seems to be fitting right in with Chelsea too. Just because I know Jim has nightmares of Drogba.

Kone - the only other noticeable player on this team. You haven't even heard of him.

Group D - still harder than the US' group if you ask me

Portugal - how dare this team where the color "port" as their jerseys (they invented port). I loved every second of watching this team play. Brazil's old coach really showed.

Luis Figo - my childhood idol. Growing up he was my favorite player. His 3 assists in the tourny have something to do with that. Plus I got every single soccer move from him (:15, :18, :25, 1:17, 1:38, 1:42 (one of my favorite moves ever), and 2:54). Keep in mind he was 34 and played quality ball.

Pauleta - this guy killed me. I remember him having a regretful World Cup. Even checking the stats, I see he had an empty net goal, one of Figo's gifts actually, but I still think he may have been one of the worst forwards in the cup. He had no touch on the ball and I always found myself complaining about him. A forgettable performance.

Sabrosa - his name means: savory. You can imagine how much fun the spanish announcers had with that.

Cristiano Ronaldo - the most exciting player to watch in the Cup. For reasons I don't understand, his speed and quickness were unmatched. You only have to watch the first minute of this video to understand what I mean. (The 2:55 mark is the only time I've seen a need for that pass... you had to see it when it happened, the timing somehow mandated that pass) Not just amazing good looks but creative and diverse play as well. Every time he got the ball down the wing a midfielder would sprint to his spot to help out. I like his flare for the game and I like how people hate on him. I think he may be the next David Beckham - completely underappreciated and hated because he also looks jazzy. The whole Wayne Rooney beef too is blown way out of proportion - anyone does what he did. Sweet he winked too, that makes it worse somehow. Whatev.
**Watch the whole video actually... my goodness

Deco - what a fighter. He had a scrappy but likable tournament. Good presence.

Mexico - this team had to be dreaming. They were playing phenomenal soccer, coming up with all the answers, and then Maxi Rodriguez ends their life - literally destroys a whole country. I can almost guarantee the Mexicans would have rathered Hurricane Katrina than to have left the competition like that. I try and put myself in the shoes of a diehard Mexican fan, and when the 98th or something minute rolls by I just black out and wake up 3 hours later. This team and those fans will never forget that goal. Not ever.


So that's the first half of the Group Stage. My next post will cover Groups E-H and of course I have more than enough to say about the American squad.

I'm not ready to talk about:

The team I wanted to watch but didn't qualify.