Tag: #Football

  • There Went the Season

    Poor Tottenham. They got bounced out of the Champions League yesterday in the most limp noodle fashion imaginable. In the stretch of eight days, they had two losses and a draw; they got bounced from two tournaments and lost to a middle of the table team in the Premier League. It’s hard to imagine a worse week for the team.

    Sadly, I think things are about to get worse for them. Liverpool and Newcastle are nipping at their heels, fighting for the fourth spot on the table to qualify for the Champions League next season. Though Spurs have a rather friendly schedule coming up with five matches, I don’t think their head is in the game. They’re gun’na blow it.

    That’s what I witnessed from them against Milan yesterday. It wasn’t an inspired or aggressive team. It really did feel like they gave up at half time. Like they decided they weren’t going to win any trophies this year, so why bother.

    I think this is the end of the Antonio Conte era. My guess is that he’ll finish out the season, and they just won’t renew his contract. And then there will be an offseason of speculation of who will come in. Who has the ego to rein in this team, deal with the egos, win trophies? Maybe next year…

    Not that I know anything about football…

  • ODDS and ENDS: Rats, FA Cup, and Spring

    New York City has always had a rat problem. When the Dutch founded their colony almost 400 years ago, they brought many things we are still dealing with to this day, but none are more ingrained in the fabric of the City than the rats. Face it, when the nuclear holocaust comes, it will be the rats and the cockroaches fighting for supremacy. And I have my money on the rats. The problem has become so bad that Mayor Adams appointed a Rat Czar to deal with it. Many proposals have been made like placing rat-proof trash and compost cans around the City, to banning the restaurant sidewalk sheds. These ideas might work, but walking around town I see a more practical answer right there in the open: Cats. My local bodega has a cat, and that place has been rodent free since it opened. I’m not kidding about this. My grandfather grew up on a farm and they kept cats in the barn to keep rats and mice away, and according to him it worked well with very little effort on his part; The cat kind’a knew what to do. So, just think about it- cats.

    Who needs an FA Cup? Not Tottenham Hotspur, that’s for sure.

    I know we are only on the third day of March, but I’m ready for Spring. I’m ready to open up the windows, and start hiking again on the weekends. Maybe even a little disc golf as well. I’m ready for green and color to return. I’m ready to transition to the next thing.

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): France v Morocco

    And here we go, the second leg of the semifinals; France v Morocco. The colony versus their oppressor, at least that’s what I have been reading all day. You could also call it David v Goliath. And then there is Cinderella v The Clock. This could be an amazing match, or it could be a drumming. There is no in-between here – It’s all or nothing.

    I hope it’s not a blowout, like yesterday’s Argentina v Croatia match.

    I will say this, France did not look unstoppable against England, and I will argue that England was the better team out there. I wouldn’t say France looked weak, but they looked vulnerable. Both teams cannot play defensively, and I think France will come out as the aggressor which will only play into Morocco’s hands. For France to win, they have to score quick, and often – try to put the game away by half. If France doesn’t do this, then Morocco has a chance. Morocco will sit back, and wait for their opportunities, as they have proven they know how to be patient. Oh, it’s a long shot, don’t get me wrong, but if there is one team in the world that can make a long shot possible, it’s Morocco.

    That having been said, I’m still picking France.

    UPDATE: I guess I was sort of right about the match. I said France would win, and France won. I also said France would have to score early to win: They scored in the 5th minute. What I got completely wrong was who would be the aggressor and who would wait for their chances. Morocco attacked and had the ball for the majority of the match, but France was the one that seized their opportunities. Won’t lie, I was hoping my prediction was wrong.

    That sets up the final on Sunday: Current World Champion versus the GOAT.

  • Wold Cup Dispatch(UPDATE): The Quarterfinals, Day 1

    After a couple of days off, we are back with the first round of the Quarterfinals! It’s a pretty exciting group of teams. You got six former champions, one finalist at the last Cup, and a Cinderella. You have players at the twilight of their careers with one last chance for Cup glory, cementing their status in the Pantheon of legends. You have long standing rivalries, historical conflicts, and one team representing an entire continent and region.

    Drama! Drama! Drama!

    And I do really despise that I’m enjoying this Cup, which is being presented by a corrupt organization, in an authoritarian nation. I feel the evil Caesars of history are asking me, “Are you not entertained?!?”

    Yes, but love is love, and women’s rights are human rights. And I do hope the 2026 Cup puts Rainbow flags on every thing!

    As for the matches, I don’t think Croatia can stop Brazil, who is dancing their way to the semifinals. Netherland v Argentina is a pretty even match up, but I’m going with team Messi on this one. Morocco v Portugal is going to be the heartbreaker match. I love the underdog, but with the way Portugal played last match, I don’t see them losing. And that gets to the match I am really looking forward to: England v France. This one is like a heavyweight fight; two teams slugging it out! Both have superstar goal scorers and deep benches. What I would hate to see is it go to penalties, because France will win. Ung…. C’mon England!

    Alright, let’s have some fun today!

    UPDATE: so… I got that whole “dancing their way to the semifinals” thing with Brazil totally wrong.

    (And, if I may ask; have you enjoyed my nonprofessional perspective and slightly humorous post? If the answer is yes, or an ironic “meh” then feel free to give the blog a like. So, you know, whatever…)

  • World Cup Dispatch(UPDATE): Today’s Matches 12/6/ 22

    I still feel bad for Korea. Man, Brazil is out to punish anyone who gets in their way.

    Anyway, today’s matches… Morocco v Spain, and Portugal v Switzerland. So, I’m still feeling pretty sick, and my wife is now under the weather as well, so I haven’t had any time to read up on these games. All I got is gut feeling so here we go…

    I’m going with Spain, as they have looked solid when I watched them in the group stage, and since my uncle lived in Madrid, I feel a connection, and uhh… there you go.

    Portugal v Switzerland should be really exciting, but I’m going to go with Portugal on this one. Not a fan of Ronaldo, but like Messi, this could be his last Cup, and as such, I see him digging deep to win.

    Which sets up The Battle for the Iberian!

    Best of luck, everyone.

    UPDATE: I feel good that Morocco won that match! I like it when the underdogs prevail! And that Morocco squad looked like the most confident group of players I’ve ever seen handling Penalties. They weren’t cocky, just confident like they knew they would win. That was awesome!

    (I have a blog and if you read this far you hate it too much. Be a pal, and give it a like. It will help me get over my cold.)