04/19/24
June 29, 2005
The Confederations Cup is over: for a rather meaningless cup, there was some fantastic football in both the final (Brazil v. Argentina) and the third place game (Germany v. Mexico). If you haven't seen either game yet, the third place game is on Fox Soccer Channel at 8pm et, and the final is on at 11pm et. (More inside - I don't want to spoil it for anyone.)
On a soccer-related note, does anyone else find this list of ESPY nominees for best soccer player amusing? We're really supposed to consider Donovan and Johnson in the same breath as Ronaldinho? They must be kidding..
posted by blarp at 05:17 PM on June 29, 2005
The tournament so far exceeded my expectations I lack the words to describe it. I only wish we'd seen more of it on tv over here in England. blarp's right, catch the final if you can, and the third place playoff.
posted by squealy at 06:25 PM on June 29, 2005
Did you see the 4th goal? 13 straight passes by Brazil interrupted by an Argie's 50/50 header followed by 3 more Brazil passes...goal. Argentina were chasing the game and looked like they were wearing 10 lb. socks...only Brazil could do that. Amazing.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:50 PM on June 29, 2005
The ESPY thing...it's an American based broadcasting company which primarily promotes American athletes in yet another meaningless awards show...go figure. Yes, it's amusing and no, Donovan and Johnson don't belong on any ballot with Ronaldinho. Even we Yanks know that.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:54 PM on June 29, 2005
Shit, I jus read a spoiler for the next game. That third place game was incredibly entertaining, but I have to say that I was rooting for Mexico. They really showed a lot of heart there.
posted by Samsonov14 at 08:55 PM on June 29, 2005
I watched Brazil totally kill Argentina live on Univision this morning. At one point, they flashed stats on the screen that said Argentina had 54% of possession, but they were already 2-0 behind! Totally beautiful goals from the Brasilenos. That first Adriano goal was class, cutting from right to left across the top of the box and then unleashing a left-footed curler around the keeper. Pure class. And then for no. 2, somehow ending up unmarked in the midst of three Argie defenders, and hammering a header into the ground that ricocheted into the net. Brilliant. Adriano is the total package -- big and strong, graceful, skillful, fast. He was swatting defenders aside wherever he went. Adriano, Kaka and Robinho will easily take over the mantle from Ronaldo and Ronaldinho next year. BRAZIL!
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:37 PM on June 29, 2005
I'm glad this tournament exists...
posted by StarFucker at 10:43 PM on June 29, 2005
Ronaldhino is 23 or 24 years old and Robhino is good, really good, but there's no way he's pushing Ronaldhino out of the playmaker spot next year. Probably not until after the 2010 Finals. I saw the Bra-Arg match, the dominance was total but surprising. You could say that Arg was missing a few starters (though at least one and maybe two were out due to yellow cards) but those first two goals--especially Adriano's--were not going to be stopped by any backline. Mexico impressed me, adding on to the recent win against the US in World Cup qualifying. Next summer in Germany, gonna be some big fun. I need to save up some PTO for watching.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:25 AM on June 30, 2005
Samsonov...my apologies if that spoiler came from me. I'll be sure not to come type anything here about games until some time has passed for people to see the replays. Again...sorry about that.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:43 AM on June 30, 2005
Texan - I don't think you should apologize for typing about the game in the thread here. That's the point of the thread, so we can talk about the game. I just didn't write the final result on the FPP so that it didn't spoil it for anyone who visited spofi. If someone's clicking this thread, they're obviously going to find out the result.
posted by blarp at 10:20 AM on June 30, 2005
Robinho will easily take over the mantle from Ronaldo and Ronaldinho As someone who doesn't watch that much international football (except during major tournaments), I'd just like to point out how hard it is to keep track of the Brazilian players when they all seem to have the same name! It's like watching a hockey game with Davies, Davis and Davidson...
posted by grum@work at 03:14 PM on June 30, 2005
the one-name thing is super cool though...perhaps they should've thought of the limitations before letting that tradition take hold in a nation of almost 200 million....and they all want a picture of these three.
posted by garfield at 03:23 PM on June 30, 2005
Or watching a Welsh rugby team made up of Davieses, Williamses and Joneses
posted by owlhouse at 06:01 PM on June 30, 2005
That Kaka name has to go. Outside of Brazil, maybe not so good an idea. Maybe Poopoo? Pantheon, I want to change my nickname to Kaka2K2!
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:10 PM on June 30, 2005
Garf, that's some picture. WC, I for one will from now on refer to you as kaka2k2 and urge all the other good brothers and sisters of the 'Fi to join me.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:06 PM on July 01, 2005
Brazil really toyed with Argentina tonight. The first half was a clinic with the long range shots of Adriano and Kaka. Argentina had to push forward after that, and Brazil just picked apart what was left of the defense. There was some really beautiful football on display by the Brazilians. I'd recommend catching the replay if you missed the game.. And Argentina continues their 12-year drought without a major trophy.. I thought the Mexicans had a great tournament. They shut down Brazil masterfully in the group stage. It's too bad for them they couldn't complete the comeback against Germany to take third.