(In a spooky, dark voice) As darkness envelopes the land and the arm of the evil empire reached further into the night, there were only one group, one band of brothers that could defy their corrupt intentions...they are...the Untransferables...
Ok Ok, So Real Madrid may not be all that bad but in the wake of their recent transfer activity it is questionable whether there is a player in world football they couldn't buy. Gone are Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo and Beckham - all signed in successive summers from 2000 to 2003 - and in are Kaka, Ronaldo (the other one) and who knows who else. As history has proven, even if Real sign no other big name this season, they will likely be back for more next year.
The 'Untransferables' Rankings:
The 'Please sign me, I'll play for free' Bracket
Emmanuel Adebayor - You have him. No you have him. No you have him…
The ‘Monday: No. Tuesday: Yes’ Bracket
Didier Drogba/Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Wouldn’t trust a word they say. About anything.
The 'If you pays your moneys, you gets your mans' Bracket
Yuri Zhirkov - Talented left sided player who seems certain to leave CSKA Moscow. Heavily linked with Chelsea but available to anyone with about £16million to spare.
Luis Antonio Valencia - Surely a United player within a week.
The 'If we can sign Julien Faubert on loan we can sign anybody' Bracket
Jermaine Pennant - Apparently Real are keen. Do they think he’s Ashley Young?
The 'Geez, Florentino I just got our credit card bill and I'm not sure we should spend any more' Bracket
Karim Benzema - Many think he will head to England this summer but, having signed their new Figo and Zidane, surely Real would be interested in a Ronaldo-clone?
David Villa - One day. One day.
David Silva - Interesting. Madrid have been tracking him ever since he burst on the scene a few years ago but just like colleagues Juan Mata, Villa, Raul Albiol and Joaquin, seem almost impossible to prise away. Somebody is surely going to bid the £30million pound odd soon.
Diego Forlan - Top goalscorer in Spain last year (32 goals in 33 games) and apparently a £32million price tag. Yes, that Diego Forlan.
Franck Ribery - Bayern have made it known they think the Frenchman is worth upwards of £60million. Zidane didn’t cost that much. Or Kaka. Or Trevor Francis…what were we talking about?
Carlos Tevez - Has anybody asked him were HE wants to go?
The 'You may really regret that' Bracket
Breno - The story goes that Real were about to sign him only to ask for a bone sample to prove his age (at the time 18). He was less then pleased, signed for Bayern instead and Real miss out on a future star centre back and possible one day Brazilian captain.
The 'Wait, isn't he our player?...mmm can't take the chance' Bracket
Iker Casillas - Best keeper in the world? Or is it Buffon? Cech? Julio Cesar?
The 'Been linked with them forever but probably won't happen Bracket
Javier Mascherano - The kind of player that would make them a far better team. Not going to sell many shirts though…
Nemanja Vidic - Pepe, Metzelder, Woodgate, Cannavaro. The Bernabeu is where central defenders’ careers go to die so I wouldn’t recommend it to the Serbian star.
The 'Not now, not soon, maybe never, but maybe when Perez comes back for a third stint in like 2015' Bracket
Anderson, Theo Walcott, Ismael Aissati, Yoann Gourcuff…
The 'I thought this was a loan deal...what do you mean this isn't Madrid north...and I've got to to do what with Craig Bellamy? Oh God...' Bracket
Robinho - He’s always been a Man City fan right?
The 'We will never sell. Never. Never ever. Ok next summer but don't tell anybody' Bracket
Diego Capel - The one they’d like.
Xabi Alonso - The one they want.
Cesc Fabregas - The one they really want.
The 'Our fans will riot. That's not to say we won't but we've got to make it look like he wants to go' Bracket
Sergio Aguero - You're quasi-Messi. You're semi-Messi. You're the margarine of Messi. You're the Diet Coke of Messi. Just one calorie, not Messi enough…
The 'If you sell him I swear I'm gonna support Inter' Bracket
Alexandre Pato - The mighty duck.
The 'Actually more likely than you might think. Think about it...think about it...ah you see' Bracket
Andrea Pirlo - They would love to have him and have bid for him before…
Samuel Etoo - A former Real Madrid player and seemingly unsettled at the Nou Camp forever. Might move on to City. Could well be on the way to Inter. Might stay put. Real probably wouldn’t bid for him this summer but he wouldn’t be completely out of range.
Frank Lampard - Linked with Barca on numerous occasions and likely to stay at Chelsea until his prime is passed but not beyond the realm of possibility.
The ‘Even if they didn’t play for Barcelona you’d have to offer the world’ Bracket
Dani Alves - The perfect attacking full-back. Would probably only leave to go back to Sevilla.
Bojan/Sergi Busquets - 18 and 20 years old respectively and already capped by arguably the strongest national team in the world. Future of the club along with Messi.
Xavi - Makes Guti look like a drunk baby.
The 'Rafa never take the Madrid job because we know what's gonna happen' Bracket
Fernando Torres - The best forward in the world right now and there’s not a team that wouldn’t want him. Of course he is a former Atletico player and a diehard fan.
The ‘Before the last couple of weeks were Untouchable, Untalkable and definately Untransferable' Bracket
Michael Essien - As important a player as there is on any team. Unreplaceable.
Wayne Rooney - Still only 23 and already with more than 50 caps for his country. Hard to imagine United allowing him to leave but even more difficult would be him wanting to leave.
The 'Actually Untouchable, Untalkable and definately Untransferable' Bracket
Steven Gerrard - Sure he has been tempted, he probably got close a few times but he will retire a Liverpool player.
Andres Iniesta - Ok, put a number on a piece of paper and we’ll look at it…No.
Lionel Messi - Don’t even bother.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Lakers v Magic Game 4 Play by Play
We are back at Amway Arena in Orlando for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Despite the 2-1 defecit, all the momentum is with the Magic and they have improved through every game - particularly with their shooting.
But they will be wary of a Laker backlash; LA have won every game following a defeat in this postseason and Kobe is coming off a couple of fairly average performances by his lofty standards. Look for LA to involve Odom, Bynum and Gasol more in the offense and the Magic to get Hedo Turkoglu going.
1st Quarter
12.00 - The crowd start loud and get louder after Orlando recovers the first rebound.
11.21 - Kobe starts this quarter in the same manner that he did on Tuesday. He drills a tough 2 and the Lakers are off the mark first.
10.10 - The Lakers go to Gasol in deep but Howard blocks his shot. LA want to get the ball in his hands more often and Orlando know it. 2-0 LA
Courtney Lee is 1/4 from the field, all three pointers. Quick ball movement is getting him some great looks but he can't quite find his touch yet. Lewis and Turkoglu look sharp.
Kobe does that better than anybody; a superb shote fake throws Lee up three feet in the air and KB just leans into him while shooting to draw the foul. 6-4 Lakers.
Dwight Howard has 6 rebounds in less than 4 minutes of action. Bynum is already sitting with 2 fouls.
6.49 - LA cannot keep up with the speed of Orlando. Hedo drives, releases to Alston to dribbles and shoots up an open three. He had more time on his hands than me right there. 12-8 Magic.
4.43 - Orlando have gone as Rafer Alston has gone recently and he is rolling with the jump shot. 14-11 Magic.
Howard has 3 blocks in less than 8 minutes. This boy has been monstrous on D so far but has just the 1 point.
Gasol and Bynum are now both off the floor with foul trouble. Welcome to the finals DJ Mbenga and let me introduce you to Dwight Howard. Whats that? No, you don't have to stay long.
Howard has 11 blocks in less than 10 minutes. Ok, the Lakers are missing shots but he is dominationg in the paint. 20-15 Orlando.
1.24 - Bryant drains two FT's to pull the Lakers within 3. He now has 11 and has scored all 5 from the line. 20-17 Magic.
Josh Powell is now in the game for LA. I don't suppose Phil Jackson had this planned.
0.20 - Kobe hits again, 13 points for him.
End of first - 24-20 Magic with Howard and Kobe showing up big. The difference is the help that they are receiving; Alston and Turkoglu (although no Lewis) are playing strong and getting to the rim whereas Bynum, Gasol and Odom are off the floor. LA are stuck on the perimeter and look a little unbalanced currently.
2nd Quarter
11.45 - Jameer Nelson is in the game and quickly gets to the basket. He's still searching for consistency but he can still help out off the bench.
Dwight just knocked down Jameer while grabbing a rebound. Is nobody safe?
Patrick Ewing kinda looks like a truck. I'm not sure why Dwight Howard needs a body guard anyway.
8.06 - Lewis feeds a pretty pass to Gortat who stuffs the ball to stretch the Magic lead to 34-26.
7.40 - Rashard now hits from outside and the lead is 10. Largest lead of the finals for Orlando.
The Lakers still refuse to put the ball in Gasol's hands. He is pretty good.
6.32 - And so am I; they feed the Spaniard and he delivers. 37-29 Magic.
5.29 - I like that; Andrew Bynum showing some aggression getting to the basket on the spin. Gortat responds and continues to show that he can be a starter in the NBA. JJ Redick has provided a couple of good assists so far. 39-31 Magic.
A technical foul on the zen master? He can't be thrilled with the show put on by his team.
4.01 - Kobe Bryant now has 16 after scoring a vicious three. He had no right making that shot. 43-35 Magic.
Only Kobe and Pau have shown up for the Lakers so far. Orlando are playing with confidence and speed and the role players are exemplifying that to this point.
1.50 - Howard with successive hook shots to more Orlando ahead by 12. He's having a really good game (6 points, 5 blocks and 14 rebounds already).
End of 2nd - The Lakers are held to 37 points at the half and lead 49-37. Los Angeles need to find a catalyst here offensively having struggled so far (1/10 from three, 33% shooting) but are simply not showing the same desire here as their opponents. On the other side, can the Magic maintain their intensity, particularly on D?
3rd Quarter
This is the house that Dunks built...first of the night for Dwight.
9.48 - Ariza with a now trademark steal and follows it up with a slam, 51-41 Magic.
9.18 - The smallest pick and roll gives Kobe a look and he smokes a three. Magic now only by 7.
Fast start by LA. Direct, quick play and Van Gundy may be served taking a TO here.
8.00 - Psychic. Ariza from downtown and Stan calls for the timeout. Orlando have not been helped by the break. Ariza has been that spark so far in the 3rd.
6.42 - Trevor Ariza is on fire (oh memories of NBA 94). He bangs down a three and now has 11 points, all in the last 5 minutes. 54-53 Orlando as their advantage has dissappeared.
Bynum scores two FT's and LA has its first lead since early in the first.
2.42 - Lamar Odom buries a trey. He is winning the battle of the x-factors in the game as Rashard is anonymous. Well, i did see him foul somebody but thats it.
Kobe and Dwight battle for a rebound and theres some afters. Good to see some fight. Good for Kobe it's not a real one. This game is heating up.
Rebound Watch - Howard has 18.
End of 3rd - Lakers outscore the Magic by 16 in the half on the back of Ariza and Bryant. 67-63 Lakers. Guess the Magic couldn't maintain that intensity...
4th Quarter
Turkoglu back in the game finally. With Lewis not performing they need a playmaker on the floor. Nelson looks lost also.
Fisher gets to the basket and its 71-65 in their favour.
9.09 - Offensive foul on Dwight Howard, his fourth as neither team can find a rhythm. 71-67 Lakers.
The Magic now have as many turnovers as field goals in the half.
7.25 - Mickael Pietrus hits from threeland but Kobe retaliates with a shot over Pietrus for three that silences the crowd. When he makes shots like that it's hard to believe that he ever misses.
6.40 - Dwight with two FT's, he is only 4/8 from the line but Orlando are back within 2.
5.38 - Crowd goes nuts as Pietrus banks home a lay up and gets the foul. This is so tight. The Lakers really can't afford to fall behind with Lamar and Pau in foul trouble.
4.48 - Kobe with a beautiful spin move then shot. 79-76 LA.
3.02 - Howard scores and will get the chance for a three-point-play. Jameer Nelson has come into the game and fed Dwight twice with bullet passes, is he beginning to feel it? 82-79 Magic.
Block Watch - Dwight has 8.
2.44 - Thats a dagger. The shot clock is winding down as Kobe (once again) loses the ball going to the rim. Ariza is forced to launch a three and makes it. 82-82.
2.12 - What you can do...Hedo Turkoglu from distance. 85-82 Magic.
Turkoglu with another big basket leads to a Lakers timeout. 5 point lead now for Orlando as they have stepped up the execution on both ends.
31.9 - Alston had the chance to finish it but his jump shot comes up short. Kobe then cuts and finds Pau with a brilliant pass for the slam to cut the lead to 3.
11.1 - Howard to the line as Bryant is forced to foul. He needs one to make it a two possession game....but he can't and LA takes a TO. could we be heading to OT again?
4.6 - MR. BIG SHOT in the house tonight. LA inbound from the back court and work the ball to Derek Fisher who ties the game with a three. Fish hasn't done much in the game but he makes the shot when it matters. That's his first field goal of the damn game! And why was the 6'0 Jameer Nelson on court to guard him? 87-87
Have Los Angeles left too much time on the clock?
End of 4th - Pietrus had to force the final shot under pressure but couldn't find the net. Take game 1 out of the equation and this is an incredibly tight series. 25 years since the last finals with two overtime games.
Overtime (5 minutes)
4.33 - Thats just non-sensical. Rashard Lewis has been colder than an English summer all game and then in the first play of the extra period drains a 3. Kobe respnds with a poorly contested J and it's 90-89 Magic.
Kobe works over Pietrus again and puts LA back ahead, he has 32.
1.39 - Fisher just fouled Howard. Kinda looked like he was a kid cuddling him. Cute. 91-90 LA
1.27 - Howard to the line after a foul by the cuddly Fisher. His FT shooting has been strong in the Finals but he has suffered tonight. He makes only the single and it's 91-91.
31.3 - Just when it looks like Kobe may never pass again, he draws in two, finds Fisher and he buries another trey. Another clutch shot from the 34-year old. Da Fish is keeping LA above water. 94-91 Lakers.
21.6 - Game set match? Lewis inbounds to Turkoglu who hits the rim on a difficult shot, Lewis saves it but can only tip the ball to Pau Gasol who happily accepts the gift. LA by 5. Bad bad play by Orlando.
3.4 - That will do it. Turkoglu misses and LA find Gasol for another basket. Pietrus with a physical foul on the big man which not only gives Pau a FT but enrages him. Flagrant on Pietrus and Technical on Pau. They may look at that tomorrow as that was a dirty, needless foul, somewhat like a wrestling-style Mongolian chop come petulant smack. Worth a look.
End of OT - 99-91 Lakers. The Magic couldn't find their scoring touch in the big moments, missed too many free throws and commited too many turnovers. The Lakers found some big points from Ariza and Fisher but ultimately got the job done on defence, limiting the Magic to only 42 points in the final 29 minutes of play with key guys close to fouling out (Gasol was key). Kobe and Dwight both had strong games (Kobe 32-7-8, Dwight 16-21 with a Finals record 9 blocks) but it's Bryant's Lakers who are now within one game of the Championship.
Game 5 is Saturday night at the Amway Arena, Orlando.
But they will be wary of a Laker backlash; LA have won every game following a defeat in this postseason and Kobe is coming off a couple of fairly average performances by his lofty standards. Look for LA to involve Odom, Bynum and Gasol more in the offense and the Magic to get Hedo Turkoglu going.
1st Quarter
12.00 - The crowd start loud and get louder after Orlando recovers the first rebound.
11.21 - Kobe starts this quarter in the same manner that he did on Tuesday. He drills a tough 2 and the Lakers are off the mark first.
10.10 - The Lakers go to Gasol in deep but Howard blocks his shot. LA want to get the ball in his hands more often and Orlando know it. 2-0 LA
Courtney Lee is 1/4 from the field, all three pointers. Quick ball movement is getting him some great looks but he can't quite find his touch yet. Lewis and Turkoglu look sharp.
Kobe does that better than anybody; a superb shote fake throws Lee up three feet in the air and KB just leans into him while shooting to draw the foul. 6-4 Lakers.
Dwight Howard has 6 rebounds in less than 4 minutes of action. Bynum is already sitting with 2 fouls.
6.49 - LA cannot keep up with the speed of Orlando. Hedo drives, releases to Alston to dribbles and shoots up an open three. He had more time on his hands than me right there. 12-8 Magic.
4.43 - Orlando have gone as Rafer Alston has gone recently and he is rolling with the jump shot. 14-11 Magic.
Howard has 3 blocks in less than 8 minutes. This boy has been monstrous on D so far but has just the 1 point.
Gasol and Bynum are now both off the floor with foul trouble. Welcome to the finals DJ Mbenga and let me introduce you to Dwight Howard. Whats that? No, you don't have to stay long.
Howard has 11 blocks in less than 10 minutes. Ok, the Lakers are missing shots but he is dominationg in the paint. 20-15 Orlando.
1.24 - Bryant drains two FT's to pull the Lakers within 3. He now has 11 and has scored all 5 from the line. 20-17 Magic.
Josh Powell is now in the game for LA. I don't suppose Phil Jackson had this planned.
0.20 - Kobe hits again, 13 points for him.
End of first - 24-20 Magic with Howard and Kobe showing up big. The difference is the help that they are receiving; Alston and Turkoglu (although no Lewis) are playing strong and getting to the rim whereas Bynum, Gasol and Odom are off the floor. LA are stuck on the perimeter and look a little unbalanced currently.
2nd Quarter
11.45 - Jameer Nelson is in the game and quickly gets to the basket. He's still searching for consistency but he can still help out off the bench.
Dwight just knocked down Jameer while grabbing a rebound. Is nobody safe?
Patrick Ewing kinda looks like a truck. I'm not sure why Dwight Howard needs a body guard anyway.
8.06 - Lewis feeds a pretty pass to Gortat who stuffs the ball to stretch the Magic lead to 34-26.
7.40 - Rashard now hits from outside and the lead is 10. Largest lead of the finals for Orlando.
The Lakers still refuse to put the ball in Gasol's hands. He is pretty good.
6.32 - And so am I; they feed the Spaniard and he delivers. 37-29 Magic.
5.29 - I like that; Andrew Bynum showing some aggression getting to the basket on the spin. Gortat responds and continues to show that he can be a starter in the NBA. JJ Redick has provided a couple of good assists so far. 39-31 Magic.
A technical foul on the zen master? He can't be thrilled with the show put on by his team.
4.01 - Kobe Bryant now has 16 after scoring a vicious three. He had no right making that shot. 43-35 Magic.
Only Kobe and Pau have shown up for the Lakers so far. Orlando are playing with confidence and speed and the role players are exemplifying that to this point.
1.50 - Howard with successive hook shots to more Orlando ahead by 12. He's having a really good game (6 points, 5 blocks and 14 rebounds already).
End of 2nd - The Lakers are held to 37 points at the half and lead 49-37. Los Angeles need to find a catalyst here offensively having struggled so far (1/10 from three, 33% shooting) but are simply not showing the same desire here as their opponents. On the other side, can the Magic maintain their intensity, particularly on D?
3rd Quarter
This is the house that Dunks built...first of the night for Dwight.
9.48 - Ariza with a now trademark steal and follows it up with a slam, 51-41 Magic.
9.18 - The smallest pick and roll gives Kobe a look and he smokes a three. Magic now only by 7.
Fast start by LA. Direct, quick play and Van Gundy may be served taking a TO here.
8.00 - Psychic. Ariza from downtown and Stan calls for the timeout. Orlando have not been helped by the break. Ariza has been that spark so far in the 3rd.
6.42 - Trevor Ariza is on fire (oh memories of NBA 94). He bangs down a three and now has 11 points, all in the last 5 minutes. 54-53 Orlando as their advantage has dissappeared.
Bynum scores two FT's and LA has its first lead since early in the first.
2.42 - Lamar Odom buries a trey. He is winning the battle of the x-factors in the game as Rashard is anonymous. Well, i did see him foul somebody but thats it.
Kobe and Dwight battle for a rebound and theres some afters. Good to see some fight. Good for Kobe it's not a real one. This game is heating up.
Rebound Watch - Howard has 18.
End of 3rd - Lakers outscore the Magic by 16 in the half on the back of Ariza and Bryant. 67-63 Lakers. Guess the Magic couldn't maintain that intensity...
4th Quarter
Turkoglu back in the game finally. With Lewis not performing they need a playmaker on the floor. Nelson looks lost also.
Fisher gets to the basket and its 71-65 in their favour.
9.09 - Offensive foul on Dwight Howard, his fourth as neither team can find a rhythm. 71-67 Lakers.
The Magic now have as many turnovers as field goals in the half.
7.25 - Mickael Pietrus hits from threeland but Kobe retaliates with a shot over Pietrus for three that silences the crowd. When he makes shots like that it's hard to believe that he ever misses.
6.40 - Dwight with two FT's, he is only 4/8 from the line but Orlando are back within 2.
5.38 - Crowd goes nuts as Pietrus banks home a lay up and gets the foul. This is so tight. The Lakers really can't afford to fall behind with Lamar and Pau in foul trouble.
4.48 - Kobe with a beautiful spin move then shot. 79-76 LA.
3.02 - Howard scores and will get the chance for a three-point-play. Jameer Nelson has come into the game and fed Dwight twice with bullet passes, is he beginning to feel it? 82-79 Magic.
Block Watch - Dwight has 8.
2.44 - Thats a dagger. The shot clock is winding down as Kobe (once again) loses the ball going to the rim. Ariza is forced to launch a three and makes it. 82-82.
2.12 - What you can do...Hedo Turkoglu from distance. 85-82 Magic.
Turkoglu with another big basket leads to a Lakers timeout. 5 point lead now for Orlando as they have stepped up the execution on both ends.
31.9 - Alston had the chance to finish it but his jump shot comes up short. Kobe then cuts and finds Pau with a brilliant pass for the slam to cut the lead to 3.
11.1 - Howard to the line as Bryant is forced to foul. He needs one to make it a two possession game....but he can't and LA takes a TO. could we be heading to OT again?
4.6 - MR. BIG SHOT in the house tonight. LA inbound from the back court and work the ball to Derek Fisher who ties the game with a three. Fish hasn't done much in the game but he makes the shot when it matters. That's his first field goal of the damn game! And why was the 6'0 Jameer Nelson on court to guard him? 87-87
Have Los Angeles left too much time on the clock?
End of 4th - Pietrus had to force the final shot under pressure but couldn't find the net. Take game 1 out of the equation and this is an incredibly tight series. 25 years since the last finals with two overtime games.
Overtime (5 minutes)
4.33 - Thats just non-sensical. Rashard Lewis has been colder than an English summer all game and then in the first play of the extra period drains a 3. Kobe respnds with a poorly contested J and it's 90-89 Magic.
Kobe works over Pietrus again and puts LA back ahead, he has 32.
1.39 - Fisher just fouled Howard. Kinda looked like he was a kid cuddling him. Cute. 91-90 LA
1.27 - Howard to the line after a foul by the cuddly Fisher. His FT shooting has been strong in the Finals but he has suffered tonight. He makes only the single and it's 91-91.
31.3 - Just when it looks like Kobe may never pass again, he draws in two, finds Fisher and he buries another trey. Another clutch shot from the 34-year old. Da Fish is keeping LA above water. 94-91 Lakers.
21.6 - Game set match? Lewis inbounds to Turkoglu who hits the rim on a difficult shot, Lewis saves it but can only tip the ball to Pau Gasol who happily accepts the gift. LA by 5. Bad bad play by Orlando.
3.4 - That will do it. Turkoglu misses and LA find Gasol for another basket. Pietrus with a physical foul on the big man which not only gives Pau a FT but enrages him. Flagrant on Pietrus and Technical on Pau. They may look at that tomorrow as that was a dirty, needless foul, somewhat like a wrestling-style Mongolian chop come petulant smack. Worth a look.
End of OT - 99-91 Lakers. The Magic couldn't find their scoring touch in the big moments, missed too many free throws and commited too many turnovers. The Lakers found some big points from Ariza and Fisher but ultimately got the job done on defence, limiting the Magic to only 42 points in the final 29 minutes of play with key guys close to fouling out (Gasol was key). Kobe and Dwight both had strong games (Kobe 32-7-8, Dwight 16-21 with a Finals record 9 blocks) but it's Bryant's Lakers who are now within one game of the Championship.
Game 5 is Saturday night at the Amway Arena, Orlando.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Replacing Ronaldo
First the boy from Brazil, now the prodigy from Portugal. Manchester Untied have accepted an £80million bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo that will likely see the current World Player of the Year sign for the Spaniards by the end of the month.
The Galacticos sequel (the empire buys back) is in production; Real may not be finished spending despite committing almost £140 million with the additions of Kaka and Ronaldo. For Manchester United comes the task of replacing about 30 goals a season (91 over the last three years in all competitions) and arguably the world's most dangerous forward. His strength, size, pace and ability were so ably showcased in the opening minutes of potentially his last appearance for the Red Devils - the Champions League Final versus Barcelona - and in so many games previously.
Ronaldo scored the winner in Porto, the first two in their vital 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, the opening goal in last years Champions League Final and his mere presence on the field created opportunities for the players around him. The 24-year old combined brillliantly so often with Wayne Rooney and, along with Dimi Berbatov and Carlos Tevez, gave United one of the best collectives of attacking players in the world. United, with Ronaldo at the peak of his powers, have scored 231 league goals in the last three seasons - thats 34 more than Chelsea, 30 more than Liverpool and 26 more than Arsenal.
But Ronaldo is not irreplaceable. United have long said farewell to some of their premier talent - Cantona, Stam, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy were all at the peak of their powers when they left. Unfortunately for fans of the Red Devils, in the four seasons following the departure of these players, their team only won 1 league title and 1 FA Cup. And while circumstances are slightly different though this time around - United have the strongest squad in the Premiership and will have upwards of £80million to spend on replacements - this may have been a turbulent summer in any event for the club.
Do they try and sign Carlos Tevez? How do they replace the ageing Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville? How do they replenish the center of the midfield, found so wanting in Rome? Ferguson would have had these issues to deal with irrespective of a twist in the Ronaldo-to-Real saga but would he have had the funds?
The United hierarchy have suggested that the decision to sell Ronaldo was purely made by Sir Alex. This may be a stock response to lessen a negative reaction from the fans or it could be that the bid was too large to reject - that, in Fergusons mind, nobody is worth that much right now. Perhaps Ronaldo himself prompted his manager to accept the deal and Sir Alex no longer wanted the distraction. In any event, the bank balance will be sufficiently swelled to allow the United supremo to buy just about anybody.
But who?
Already on staff are a few guys who would be keen to audition for the role; Nani has played 71 games for United in two seasons and yet his performances have not shown the maturity required to be a regular starter - he appears a few years behind his Portuguese colleague at this stage of his career. Ji-Sung Park has missed time with knee injuries during his tenure but played a key part in their European campaign last season, including starting in the final. The South Korean offers maturity and work rate but not goals - only 12 in 123 goals appearances. Zoran Tosic, signed from Partizan Belgrade, could be a long-term solution on the left but there is no clear successor on the right side.
The onus will be on Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney to step up and replace Ronaldo's goal threat. Whether they stump up the £32million-odd for Tevez or not, Manchester United do not have the options currently to replace everything that Ronaldo can provide. Problematically, nobody can.
Manchester United have been linked with a number of players as replacements for or supplements to Ronaldo's talents. The likes of Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich, Ashley Young of Aston Villa, Karim Benzema of Lyon, Antonio Valencia of Wigan, Alexis Sanchez of Udinese, even cross-town rival Robinho have been mentioned but none of these players have the versatility, aggression and ultimately goals of the Portuguese star.
One player does not make a team though. United won League titles and European trophies before the latest wing wonder made his debut and, while they will lose an individual they cannot directly replace, they can strengthen the unit around the void that he will leave. They need an eventual inheritor to the right back slot - although i'm sure Ferguson would hope that Wes Brown can return from injury to compete for the place and that young Rafael will grow into the starting job - a 'destroyer' in midfield - Owen Hargreaves' future following surgery to both knees is, at best, uncertain - and a centre forward - Tevez may not be back, Macheda and Welbeck need time to develop.
The fans may well demand one 'box office' signing, a player that will deliver style, entertainment and end product, but United may be just as well served by allowing Wayne Rooney more freedom and asking more of Berbatov. Perhaps even more importantly in they trying financial climate, United will also lose one of the World's most marketable assets. Ronaldo is worth far more than his inflated wages and his sale could widen the gap between Real - the most profitable club in the world - and Man U - the second most. Is there a player available (so not Messi or Kaka and there is no way they're buying Beckham or Ronaldinho) that can 'sell' anywhere near as well? No.
Ferguson has seen it all before; Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Becham and Cristiano Ronaldo. All icons. All wore the number 7 shirt. All left. The only other constant? Manchester United found a way to replace them and to win trophies. Ronaldo will be as hard to replace as any but the collective will continue, the team will adjust and in just a few years, there will be a new No.7 - Real will probably want him too.
The Galacticos sequel (the empire buys back) is in production; Real may not be finished spending despite committing almost £140 million with the additions of Kaka and Ronaldo. For Manchester United comes the task of replacing about 30 goals a season (91 over the last three years in all competitions) and arguably the world's most dangerous forward. His strength, size, pace and ability were so ably showcased in the opening minutes of potentially his last appearance for the Red Devils - the Champions League Final versus Barcelona - and in so many games previously.
Ronaldo scored the winner in Porto, the first two in their vital 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, the opening goal in last years Champions League Final and his mere presence on the field created opportunities for the players around him. The 24-year old combined brillliantly so often with Wayne Rooney and, along with Dimi Berbatov and Carlos Tevez, gave United one of the best collectives of attacking players in the world. United, with Ronaldo at the peak of his powers, have scored 231 league goals in the last three seasons - thats 34 more than Chelsea, 30 more than Liverpool and 26 more than Arsenal.
But Ronaldo is not irreplaceable. United have long said farewell to some of their premier talent - Cantona, Stam, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy were all at the peak of their powers when they left. Unfortunately for fans of the Red Devils, in the four seasons following the departure of these players, their team only won 1 league title and 1 FA Cup. And while circumstances are slightly different though this time around - United have the strongest squad in the Premiership and will have upwards of £80million to spend on replacements - this may have been a turbulent summer in any event for the club.
Do they try and sign Carlos Tevez? How do they replace the ageing Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville? How do they replenish the center of the midfield, found so wanting in Rome? Ferguson would have had these issues to deal with irrespective of a twist in the Ronaldo-to-Real saga but would he have had the funds?
The United hierarchy have suggested that the decision to sell Ronaldo was purely made by Sir Alex. This may be a stock response to lessen a negative reaction from the fans or it could be that the bid was too large to reject - that, in Fergusons mind, nobody is worth that much right now. Perhaps Ronaldo himself prompted his manager to accept the deal and Sir Alex no longer wanted the distraction. In any event, the bank balance will be sufficiently swelled to allow the United supremo to buy just about anybody.
But who?
Already on staff are a few guys who would be keen to audition for the role; Nani has played 71 games for United in two seasons and yet his performances have not shown the maturity required to be a regular starter - he appears a few years behind his Portuguese colleague at this stage of his career. Ji-Sung Park has missed time with knee injuries during his tenure but played a key part in their European campaign last season, including starting in the final. The South Korean offers maturity and work rate but not goals - only 12 in 123 goals appearances. Zoran Tosic, signed from Partizan Belgrade, could be a long-term solution on the left but there is no clear successor on the right side.
The onus will be on Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney to step up and replace Ronaldo's goal threat. Whether they stump up the £32million-odd for Tevez or not, Manchester United do not have the options currently to replace everything that Ronaldo can provide. Problematically, nobody can.
Manchester United have been linked with a number of players as replacements for or supplements to Ronaldo's talents. The likes of Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich, Ashley Young of Aston Villa, Karim Benzema of Lyon, Antonio Valencia of Wigan, Alexis Sanchez of Udinese, even cross-town rival Robinho have been mentioned but none of these players have the versatility, aggression and ultimately goals of the Portuguese star.
One player does not make a team though. United won League titles and European trophies before the latest wing wonder made his debut and, while they will lose an individual they cannot directly replace, they can strengthen the unit around the void that he will leave. They need an eventual inheritor to the right back slot - although i'm sure Ferguson would hope that Wes Brown can return from injury to compete for the place and that young Rafael will grow into the starting job - a 'destroyer' in midfield - Owen Hargreaves' future following surgery to both knees is, at best, uncertain - and a centre forward - Tevez may not be back, Macheda and Welbeck need time to develop.
The fans may well demand one 'box office' signing, a player that will deliver style, entertainment and end product, but United may be just as well served by allowing Wayne Rooney more freedom and asking more of Berbatov. Perhaps even more importantly in they trying financial climate, United will also lose one of the World's most marketable assets. Ronaldo is worth far more than his inflated wages and his sale could widen the gap between Real - the most profitable club in the world - and Man U - the second most. Is there a player available (so not Messi or Kaka and there is no way they're buying Beckham or Ronaldinho) that can 'sell' anywhere near as well? No.
Ferguson has seen it all before; Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Becham and Cristiano Ronaldo. All icons. All wore the number 7 shirt. All left. The only other constant? Manchester United found a way to replace them and to win trophies. Ronaldo will be as hard to replace as any but the collective will continue, the team will adjust and in just a few years, there will be a new No.7 - Real will probably want him too.
Lance Armstrong Hall of Fame
The sportsmen who, if found to have taken performance enhancing drugs, could cause the world to end.
Lance Armstrong (founding member)
Michael Jordan
Lebron James
Steve Redgrave (boating division)
Roger Federer
Michael Johnson
Usain Bolt
Michael Phelps (recreational drugs division)
Brett Favre
Jesse Owens ('back in the day' division)
Tiger Woods
Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali
Lance Armstrong (founding member)
Michael Jordan
Lebron James
Steve Redgrave (boating division)
Roger Federer
Michael Johnson
Usain Bolt
Michael Phelps (recreational drugs division)
Brett Favre
Jesse Owens ('back in the day' division)
Tiger Woods
Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Seasoned Stats
Just a few thoughts on some of the statistics from the recently finished Premiership season;
The bottom six teams had the six worst home records, yet it was Hull that came out worst - only 14 points from 19 games, 10 less than Boro and West Brom. Not exactly fortress KC.
The 'we'll score one more than you' Spurs mentality may behind us - Their 19 home games yielded a total of 31 goals. Last season there were 80.
Liverpool had the best record against other top-10 teams, Spurs recorded more points than Arsenal and Hull got more than both Man City and West Ham. Sunderland only scored 10 times in 20 games against top-10 opposition.
Champions Manchester United dropped just 2 points in 20 games against bottom-10 teams.
If Chelsea score first, they almost always win; they collected 70 points from the 25 games in which they opened the scoring. Villa and Hull never lost after scoring first.
United scored in almost 90% of their games, Bolton in only 53%. Manchester City lost every game (10) in which they went goalless.
No wonder top-class forwards cost so much money. Neither Middlesborough nor Sunderland won a single point in the 30 games in which they conceded more than 1 goal. Liverpool had he best record, averaging over 1.5 points per game when their opponents score 2 or more.
In their 38 games, Man United only conceded first on six occasions, Liverpool in 11, yet the Anfield club averaged more points in those games (a quite incredible 2 points a game). Manchester City appeared to lack resilience -they amassed only 2 points from the 16 games in which they went behind.
Two teams won every game in which they scored 2 goals or more - the first was United, 18 times. The second, suprisingly, were Middlesborough, on 6 occasions. Liverpool scored more than once the most times, 23.
Masters of the half time team talk? Rafa and Fergie's teams did the best when drawing at the break, both averaging over 2 points a game. Rookie Gianfranco Zola may need to work on his motivational speeches - West Ham had the worst record, averaging only 0.77 points per game. Arsenal seemed to find it hard to break opponents down, winning only 4 times in the 16 games that they went in level. And perhaps Phil Brown should be let to conduct team talks wherever he chooses - His Hull team ranked 7th best in this category, ahead of Wenger's Gunners.
Even harder is to inspire a team from a half-time deficit; only Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United averaged over a point a games in these circumstances whereas Bolton and Man City only gained a point each in the 21 games they combined for losing at the break.
If football games were 45 minutes long, Chelsea would have won the league - they were ahead in 19 of the 38 games at half-time; their conversion rate was also the best, winning 18 of those games. Newcastle and West Brom only managed to hold the lead after 45 mintues on 3 occasions each. Stoke, Poutsmouth and the Baggies only managed 10 goals each in the first half.
Liverpool were by far the best in the second half, 'winning' 25 of those periods and scoring 49 goals (thats more than all but 6 other teams scored all season). Both Albion and Newcastle were much better after a half time orange but Middlesborough were quite terrible - they conceded a goal for every half they played and 'lost' the half on 21 occasions.
Boro scored just 28 goals all term.
A single goal is not enough for some teams. When scoring less than 2 goals, the bottom eight teams averaged under 0.55 points a game - bottom of the pile were West Brom. The top six were all placed in the top six of this table and United were by far the best. Their series of clean sheets and 1-0 wins in January and February helped them average 1.80 points per game when scoring one or no goals.
Both Middlesborough and Newcastle had the chance to save themselves; Hull only gained 2 points in their last eight games, Sunderland only won 4 points. Unfortunately for the pair, they could only muster 5 points each during this period with Michael Owen's futility particularly damaging - they scored only 4 times in those 8 games.
Boro lost their last 12 away games.
Arsenal were involved in two 4-4 draws, against Liverpool and Spurs. Hull onlsy scored more than twice on one occasion - and lost, 4-3 to Man Utd.
Hangeland for Arsenal? Fulham had a better defensive record than their London rivals.
Value for money? Manchester City were not involved in any 0-0 draws.
Where was the title won and lost? In January. Manchester United earned 15 points, Liverpool just 3.
Carlton Cole (10) scored more league goals than Dimitar Berbatov (9).
Ricardo Fuller (11) scored more league goals than Carlos Tevez (5) and Didier Drogba (5) combined.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 67 league goals in the last three seasons.
Steven Gerrrard has scored 27 goals in the last five Champions League campaigns, the most by any player during that period.
Xavi had 7 assists in the Champions League and a whopping 20 in La Liga.
Jonny Evans (16) started more league games this year than Ryan Giggs (15).
Robbie Keane (16) started more league games for Liverpool this year than Ryan Giggs for United.
Denilson (36) started more league games this season than any other Arsenal player.
Only 16 players started games for Aston Villa.
29 players started for Manchester City.
Joey Barton (1) scored more goals this year than Andrei Shevchenko (0).
Do you think Blackburn regret NOT selling Roque Santa Cruz? He scored just 4 league goals.
Bobby Zamora scored twice this year. Thats about £2.5million a goal.
Fulham lead the fair play league, thanks in part to center back Aaron Hughes. Somehow, in 38 league games, he committed just 7 fouls.
The bottom six teams had the six worst home records, yet it was Hull that came out worst - only 14 points from 19 games, 10 less than Boro and West Brom. Not exactly fortress KC.
The 'we'll score one more than you' Spurs mentality may behind us - Their 19 home games yielded a total of 31 goals. Last season there were 80.
Liverpool had the best record against other top-10 teams, Spurs recorded more points than Arsenal and Hull got more than both Man City and West Ham. Sunderland only scored 10 times in 20 games against top-10 opposition.
Champions Manchester United dropped just 2 points in 20 games against bottom-10 teams.
If Chelsea score first, they almost always win; they collected 70 points from the 25 games in which they opened the scoring. Villa and Hull never lost after scoring first.
United scored in almost 90% of their games, Bolton in only 53%. Manchester City lost every game (10) in which they went goalless.
No wonder top-class forwards cost so much money. Neither Middlesborough nor Sunderland won a single point in the 30 games in which they conceded more than 1 goal. Liverpool had he best record, averaging over 1.5 points per game when their opponents score 2 or more.
In their 38 games, Man United only conceded first on six occasions, Liverpool in 11, yet the Anfield club averaged more points in those games (a quite incredible 2 points a game). Manchester City appeared to lack resilience -they amassed only 2 points from the 16 games in which they went behind.
Two teams won every game in which they scored 2 goals or more - the first was United, 18 times. The second, suprisingly, were Middlesborough, on 6 occasions. Liverpool scored more than once the most times, 23.
Masters of the half time team talk? Rafa and Fergie's teams did the best when drawing at the break, both averaging over 2 points a game. Rookie Gianfranco Zola may need to work on his motivational speeches - West Ham had the worst record, averaging only 0.77 points per game. Arsenal seemed to find it hard to break opponents down, winning only 4 times in the 16 games that they went in level. And perhaps Phil Brown should be let to conduct team talks wherever he chooses - His Hull team ranked 7th best in this category, ahead of Wenger's Gunners.
Even harder is to inspire a team from a half-time deficit; only Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United averaged over a point a games in these circumstances whereas Bolton and Man City only gained a point each in the 21 games they combined for losing at the break.
If football games were 45 minutes long, Chelsea would have won the league - they were ahead in 19 of the 38 games at half-time; their conversion rate was also the best, winning 18 of those games. Newcastle and West Brom only managed to hold the lead after 45 mintues on 3 occasions each. Stoke, Poutsmouth and the Baggies only managed 10 goals each in the first half.
Liverpool were by far the best in the second half, 'winning' 25 of those periods and scoring 49 goals (thats more than all but 6 other teams scored all season). Both Albion and Newcastle were much better after a half time orange but Middlesborough were quite terrible - they conceded a goal for every half they played and 'lost' the half on 21 occasions.
Boro scored just 28 goals all term.
A single goal is not enough for some teams. When scoring less than 2 goals, the bottom eight teams averaged under 0.55 points a game - bottom of the pile were West Brom. The top six were all placed in the top six of this table and United were by far the best. Their series of clean sheets and 1-0 wins in January and February helped them average 1.80 points per game when scoring one or no goals.
Both Middlesborough and Newcastle had the chance to save themselves; Hull only gained 2 points in their last eight games, Sunderland only won 4 points. Unfortunately for the pair, they could only muster 5 points each during this period with Michael Owen's futility particularly damaging - they scored only 4 times in those 8 games.
Boro lost their last 12 away games.
Arsenal were involved in two 4-4 draws, against Liverpool and Spurs. Hull onlsy scored more than twice on one occasion - and lost, 4-3 to Man Utd.
Hangeland for Arsenal? Fulham had a better defensive record than their London rivals.
Value for money? Manchester City were not involved in any 0-0 draws.
Where was the title won and lost? In January. Manchester United earned 15 points, Liverpool just 3.
Carlton Cole (10) scored more league goals than Dimitar Berbatov (9).
Ricardo Fuller (11) scored more league goals than Carlos Tevez (5) and Didier Drogba (5) combined.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 67 league goals in the last three seasons.
Steven Gerrrard has scored 27 goals in the last five Champions League campaigns, the most by any player during that period.
Xavi had 7 assists in the Champions League and a whopping 20 in La Liga.
Jonny Evans (16) started more league games this year than Ryan Giggs (15).
Robbie Keane (16) started more league games for Liverpool this year than Ryan Giggs for United.
Denilson (36) started more league games this season than any other Arsenal player.
Only 16 players started games for Aston Villa.
29 players started for Manchester City.
Joey Barton (1) scored more goals this year than Andrei Shevchenko (0).
Do you think Blackburn regret NOT selling Roque Santa Cruz? He scored just 4 league goals.
Bobby Zamora scored twice this year. Thats about £2.5million a goal.
Fulham lead the fair play league, thanks in part to center back Aaron Hughes. Somehow, in 38 league games, he committed just 7 fouls.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Lakers v Magic Game 2 Play by Play
Game 2 of the NBA Finals will be the biggest game of the season for both teams concerned. The difference between 2-0 and 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Orlando is massive and the Magic could swing all the momentum in this series with a win tonight.
How can that happen after they were hammered by 25 points in the opener? More Dwight (except the early fouls), Less Jameer, better shooting and higher intensity. Easy huh?
For the Lakers, they have little to improve on but will need to retain focus and can't expect Kobe to post 40-8-8 every night. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum both need play at a high level and personally, i'd like to see a little more Shannon Brown.
First Quarter
12.00 - We are go in Game 2 and Rafer Alston misses the first shot. Not a promising harbinger for the Magic after their abysmal shooting effort a few nights ago.
10.20 - Trevor Ariza scores from behind the line and the Lakers lead 3-2. He is a free agent this summer and must be seeing dollar signs every time he sinks a bucket. More importantly, it means Lamar Odom can sit down and get back to that bag of skittles.
9.21 - A big time block by Superman Howard, Gasol can't quite believe it. The teams are 2/9 shooting so far combined.
7.54 - 2 fouls already on Bynum. He's out, Lamar is in and Dwight is smiling. So is Hedo but i can't quite figure that one out.
6.29 - Gasol returns the favour with a block on Howard. Neither team has really found a rhythm yet and there's been quite a few early fouls. 6-6
4.04 - Odom goes to the line and now Peitrus, Lewis and Lee have two fouls. Lamar scores one and its 11-10 Lakers.
Howard has six boards but the Magic also have six turnovers. Neither coach will be thrilled by what they're seeing here.
End of 1st - Not pretty on offense, in fact it s the lowest combined scoring effort in NBA Finals history. 15-15 after 1. Orlando look better defensively with Gortat combining with Howard but three of their best shooters are on the bench with foul trouble.
Second Quarter
10.24 - Nice shot be Odom, he now has 7 points. Battie responds and its 19-19.
Odom with a great block running back to keep Redick's shot out. Everybody felt he would be vital to LA in the Finals and so far, so good for Lakers fans. Kobe aint doing work right now, he's resting on the bench.
The Magic are rebounding well on both ends of the floor but are giving up possession far too easily. First Jack and Denzel sightings of the night.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a more scared looking 7 footer than Andrew Bynum. Kobe better not be picking on him...
8.01 - Vujacic misses a good look from the baseline as both teams continue to struggle with the long ball. Redick goes up the other end and bricks aswell. 24-21 Lakers
6.20 - Lewis sticks a 3, he now has 11 and is starting to motor. This anaemic Magic offense needs him right now. 26-26.
Farmar misses two chances and the crowd give the 'how is this guy ahead of Shannon Brown' groan. I did too.
Might be a little early but the Lakers backfield looks a little out of sync so far. Lamar, Pau and Bynum (show me a little more and i'll call you by your Christian name) have had some bright moments but not a lot from Fish, Farmar, Vujacic and the Black Mamba. Considering the errors that the Magic have committed, Nicholson's team should be a little further ahead.
4.13 - On cue, Kobe drives and feeds Fisher for the 3 pointer. Rashard then nails a response from threeland, he looks really good right now but is getting little support. 32-29 Lakers.
Doris Burke is reporting from the sideline. How many kids have been called 'Doris' in the last fifty years?
1.52 - Kobe sinks one from deep and the Lakers have their largest lead of the game 36-29.
Can't leave Gasol with that much room as he arcs a jump shot in. Lewis has nailed consecutive shots from threeland and has 18 points in the quarter (the rest of the team just 2), bringing his team back within 3, 38-35 LA
End of 2nd - 40-35 to the Lakers. Strange half of Basketball here at the Staples Center; very little from Kobe but Gasol and Odom have been strong. Orlando have been all over the boards with Rashard on fire towards the end but Stan will have every reason to look grumpy considering his team's anaemic offence and lack of intensity. They needed to use the failings in Game 1 as a motivator but at this stage they havent forced the Lakers beyond second gear.
Still no dunks in the series for Mr. Slam Dunk or Sir Slam Dunk...Dr. Dunk? Lord of the Dunks? Man O'Dunk? Sir Dunkalot? Ooooh i like that one.
3rd Quarter
Fast start for both sides as Orlando finally make a shot on the break. 42-41 Lakers
9.24 - All about Kobe Bryant early in the second half. He makes another tough shot and LA is up 46-43.
Alston was wide open for a three and sends up an air ball. Both teams are playing at a high tempo but neither can pull away. 50-47 Lakers.
Alston misses another clear look; at some point, the Magic will surely catch alight from range.
5.29 - DUNK! DUNK by Sir Dunkalot! (I think I'm going with that one) 52-51 LA.
4.37 - Ariza strips Howard after a poor offensive series by Orlando and sets up Kobe for the dunk. Take that Dwight. Timeout Orlando.
Lewis has gone cold in the third, he airs another three but Turkoglu is filling the void. 54-54.
Plenty of nail biting on the Orlando bench but their team are on equal terms in this contest. Turkoglu with another three and Orlando is now up by that many.
1.38 - A loose ball foul against Lamar (his third foul) as he hauls down Gortat and Nelson quite comedically.
If Orlando had shot better to this point and not committed so many turnovers, they would be up big right now. The Lakers desperately need to get more rebounds and get Kobe revving up.
1.15 - Kobe scores a deuce.
End of 3rd - Orlando will be pleased with their quarters work as they finish it up 65-63. The pairing of Turkoglu and Lewis are leading the charge with their scoring but Howard's distribution and rebounding are the keys for me.
4th Quarter
11.30 - Odom drives to the basket and its all squared up at 65. Shannon Brown gets on the floor.
4 fouls now for both Odom and Bynum.
10.25 - Lamar forces another tough shot down. Gortat responds but again, Odom scores. The Magic need to slow him down while also remembering that we are officially in Kobe territory. 69-68 Lakers.
7.27 - Lamar Odom makes another jump shot. He is having one of his best games of the season at a vital time.
6.14 - Rashard Lewis checks back into the scorers column with a clean trey and Orlando move 77-75 ahead. Thats two more than they had in Game 1.
5.26 - A couple of sloppy series by the Lakers is remedied by Derek Fisher banking in a shot to tie it up at 77.
Odom and Bynum now each have 5 fouls. The Magic have gone to a big line up without a traditional point guard and are putting the Lakers under physical pressure.
4.31 - Gasol makes a tough shot, arcing back as Howard defended him, 79-79.
Fouls on both end as Howard sticks two free throws, Kobe makes one, Hedo commits a foul on offence and then Pietrus fouls out defending Kobe. Bryant gets both and the Lakers edge ahead 82-81.
2.42 - Timeout Orlando as Howard loses the ball...followed by Fisher losing the rock. It's scrappy, it's inconsistent and it's riviting.
Two clutch FT's from Kobe are answered by a trio from J.J Redick. 84-84
1.33 - Rashard Lewis going back to his roots as he spins between Gasol and Ariza, banking the shot in. High difficulty effort there on that post up move. 86-84 Magic.
The Black Mamba fired back. 86-86.
0.47.7 - Hedo Turkoglu hits another big shot as the shot clock expires to put the Magic back ahead. The crowd are real quiet all of a sudden in California. 88-86 Orlando.
0.33.5 - Gasol levels it up at 88.
That's huge. Courtney Lee, who has been fairly anonymous this game, does all the hard work getting into the paint only to miss the shot and Lamar Odom grabs the all important rebound. 10 seconds to go and LA call a timeout. Kobe will get the chance to win this but Orlando may be tempted to foul and reserve some time.
0.00.6 - Turkoglu gets beat by Kobe but recovers to block the shot from behind and preserve their hopes of stealing this one from LA. Bryant is visibly upset but he and his team have got to stay focused and not allow Orlando to get a clean shot as time expires.
End of 4th - Oooooweeee...Courtney Lee gets the alley oop from Turkoglu's inbound but can't quite get it to go. Howard dunks the rebound but the buzzer has already gone and we head for OT! Almost a sensational finish. Great play but not quite the execution. 88-88
Overtime (5 minutes)
Could be all about fouls now. So many guys close to fouling out. Howard came up huge in OT against the Cavs but on the other end is the master finisher, Mr. Bryant. Big moments call for big players.
Orlando begin with consecutive turnovers and Gasol draws first blood of OT with two FT's. 90-88 LA.
3.20 - Howard gets the basket and the foul. First time that has happened for the behemoth all night. He sinks the extra point and is now 7-9 from the line this game. You have to like the way he has responded to pressure in the playoffs. 91-90 Orlando.
2.40 - Ariza and Redick both miss from threeland.
2.19 - Bryant is almost down on his backside as he makes a hard shot. Lakers back in front 92-91.
Fisher hits two after being fouled and the Lakers advantage is now 3.
1.14 - Turkoglu's shot seemed destined to fall only to fly out of the basket and Gasol takes it to the hole on the other end, with the foul. Good work inside by Kobe and with the FT, the Lakers move 97-91 ahead. Timeout Orlando as they attempt to come up with an escape plan.
Redick lays one in and Kobe loses the ball out of bounds at the other end. The Magic need to take advantage but Lewis' three attempt doesn't want to go, just like Hedo's a minute previous.
0.26.2 - It's Cleveland all over again as Rashard receives an inbound, turns, fires and scores from outside the arc and the Magic still have some magic left. 99-96 LA.
0.22.1 - Redick fouls Odom and he scores both, that's 14 straight for the team at a critical time.
End of OT - The Lakers hold on and win it 101-96. They take a 2-0 series lead and will feel confident of securing another NBA Championship, despite an incomplete performance. The Magic were far better than in Game 1 and fought hard in the second half plus overtime but unfortunately for them, it wasn't quite enough.
Orlando have still yet to win a game in the Finals (0-6) and their best chance to change that record and to take control of this series may have slipped through Courtney Lee's fingers as time expired at the end of regulation.
Game 3 is Tuesday night at the Amway Arena, Orlando.
How can that happen after they were hammered by 25 points in the opener? More Dwight (except the early fouls), Less Jameer, better shooting and higher intensity. Easy huh?
For the Lakers, they have little to improve on but will need to retain focus and can't expect Kobe to post 40-8-8 every night. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum both need play at a high level and personally, i'd like to see a little more Shannon Brown.
First Quarter
12.00 - We are go in Game 2 and Rafer Alston misses the first shot. Not a promising harbinger for the Magic after their abysmal shooting effort a few nights ago.
10.20 - Trevor Ariza scores from behind the line and the Lakers lead 3-2. He is a free agent this summer and must be seeing dollar signs every time he sinks a bucket. More importantly, it means Lamar Odom can sit down and get back to that bag of skittles.
9.21 - A big time block by Superman Howard, Gasol can't quite believe it. The teams are 2/9 shooting so far combined.
7.54 - 2 fouls already on Bynum. He's out, Lamar is in and Dwight is smiling. So is Hedo but i can't quite figure that one out.
6.29 - Gasol returns the favour with a block on Howard. Neither team has really found a rhythm yet and there's been quite a few early fouls. 6-6
4.04 - Odom goes to the line and now Peitrus, Lewis and Lee have two fouls. Lamar scores one and its 11-10 Lakers.
Howard has six boards but the Magic also have six turnovers. Neither coach will be thrilled by what they're seeing here.
End of 1st - Not pretty on offense, in fact it s the lowest combined scoring effort in NBA Finals history. 15-15 after 1. Orlando look better defensively with Gortat combining with Howard but three of their best shooters are on the bench with foul trouble.
Second Quarter
10.24 - Nice shot be Odom, he now has 7 points. Battie responds and its 19-19.
Odom with a great block running back to keep Redick's shot out. Everybody felt he would be vital to LA in the Finals and so far, so good for Lakers fans. Kobe aint doing work right now, he's resting on the bench.
The Magic are rebounding well on both ends of the floor but are giving up possession far too easily. First Jack and Denzel sightings of the night.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a more scared looking 7 footer than Andrew Bynum. Kobe better not be picking on him...
8.01 - Vujacic misses a good look from the baseline as both teams continue to struggle with the long ball. Redick goes up the other end and bricks aswell. 24-21 Lakers
6.20 - Lewis sticks a 3, he now has 11 and is starting to motor. This anaemic Magic offense needs him right now. 26-26.
Farmar misses two chances and the crowd give the 'how is this guy ahead of Shannon Brown' groan. I did too.
Might be a little early but the Lakers backfield looks a little out of sync so far. Lamar, Pau and Bynum (show me a little more and i'll call you by your Christian name) have had some bright moments but not a lot from Fish, Farmar, Vujacic and the Black Mamba. Considering the errors that the Magic have committed, Nicholson's team should be a little further ahead.
4.13 - On cue, Kobe drives and feeds Fisher for the 3 pointer. Rashard then nails a response from threeland, he looks really good right now but is getting little support. 32-29 Lakers.
Doris Burke is reporting from the sideline. How many kids have been called 'Doris' in the last fifty years?
1.52 - Kobe sinks one from deep and the Lakers have their largest lead of the game 36-29.
Can't leave Gasol with that much room as he arcs a jump shot in. Lewis has nailed consecutive shots from threeland and has 18 points in the quarter (the rest of the team just 2), bringing his team back within 3, 38-35 LA
End of 2nd - 40-35 to the Lakers. Strange half of Basketball here at the Staples Center; very little from Kobe but Gasol and Odom have been strong. Orlando have been all over the boards with Rashard on fire towards the end but Stan will have every reason to look grumpy considering his team's anaemic offence and lack of intensity. They needed to use the failings in Game 1 as a motivator but at this stage they havent forced the Lakers beyond second gear.
Still no dunks in the series for Mr. Slam Dunk or Sir Slam Dunk...Dr. Dunk? Lord of the Dunks? Man O'Dunk? Sir Dunkalot? Ooooh i like that one.
3rd Quarter
Fast start for both sides as Orlando finally make a shot on the break. 42-41 Lakers
9.24 - All about Kobe Bryant early in the second half. He makes another tough shot and LA is up 46-43.
Alston was wide open for a three and sends up an air ball. Both teams are playing at a high tempo but neither can pull away. 50-47 Lakers.
Alston misses another clear look; at some point, the Magic will surely catch alight from range.
5.29 - DUNK! DUNK by Sir Dunkalot! (I think I'm going with that one) 52-51 LA.
4.37 - Ariza strips Howard after a poor offensive series by Orlando and sets up Kobe for the dunk. Take that Dwight. Timeout Orlando.
Lewis has gone cold in the third, he airs another three but Turkoglu is filling the void. 54-54.
Plenty of nail biting on the Orlando bench but their team are on equal terms in this contest. Turkoglu with another three and Orlando is now up by that many.
1.38 - A loose ball foul against Lamar (his third foul) as he hauls down Gortat and Nelson quite comedically.
If Orlando had shot better to this point and not committed so many turnovers, they would be up big right now. The Lakers desperately need to get more rebounds and get Kobe revving up.
1.15 - Kobe scores a deuce.
End of 3rd - Orlando will be pleased with their quarters work as they finish it up 65-63. The pairing of Turkoglu and Lewis are leading the charge with their scoring but Howard's distribution and rebounding are the keys for me.
4th Quarter
11.30 - Odom drives to the basket and its all squared up at 65. Shannon Brown gets on the floor.
4 fouls now for both Odom and Bynum.
10.25 - Lamar forces another tough shot down. Gortat responds but again, Odom scores. The Magic need to slow him down while also remembering that we are officially in Kobe territory. 69-68 Lakers.
7.27 - Lamar Odom makes another jump shot. He is having one of his best games of the season at a vital time.
6.14 - Rashard Lewis checks back into the scorers column with a clean trey and Orlando move 77-75 ahead. Thats two more than they had in Game 1.
5.26 - A couple of sloppy series by the Lakers is remedied by Derek Fisher banking in a shot to tie it up at 77.
Odom and Bynum now each have 5 fouls. The Magic have gone to a big line up without a traditional point guard and are putting the Lakers under physical pressure.
4.31 - Gasol makes a tough shot, arcing back as Howard defended him, 79-79.
Fouls on both end as Howard sticks two free throws, Kobe makes one, Hedo commits a foul on offence and then Pietrus fouls out defending Kobe. Bryant gets both and the Lakers edge ahead 82-81.
2.42 - Timeout Orlando as Howard loses the ball...followed by Fisher losing the rock. It's scrappy, it's inconsistent and it's riviting.
Two clutch FT's from Kobe are answered by a trio from J.J Redick. 84-84
1.33 - Rashard Lewis going back to his roots as he spins between Gasol and Ariza, banking the shot in. High difficulty effort there on that post up move. 86-84 Magic.
The Black Mamba fired back. 86-86.
0.47.7 - Hedo Turkoglu hits another big shot as the shot clock expires to put the Magic back ahead. The crowd are real quiet all of a sudden in California. 88-86 Orlando.
0.33.5 - Gasol levels it up at 88.
That's huge. Courtney Lee, who has been fairly anonymous this game, does all the hard work getting into the paint only to miss the shot and Lamar Odom grabs the all important rebound. 10 seconds to go and LA call a timeout. Kobe will get the chance to win this but Orlando may be tempted to foul and reserve some time.
0.00.6 - Turkoglu gets beat by Kobe but recovers to block the shot from behind and preserve their hopes of stealing this one from LA. Bryant is visibly upset but he and his team have got to stay focused and not allow Orlando to get a clean shot as time expires.
End of 4th - Oooooweeee...Courtney Lee gets the alley oop from Turkoglu's inbound but can't quite get it to go. Howard dunks the rebound but the buzzer has already gone and we head for OT! Almost a sensational finish. Great play but not quite the execution. 88-88
Overtime (5 minutes)
Could be all about fouls now. So many guys close to fouling out. Howard came up huge in OT against the Cavs but on the other end is the master finisher, Mr. Bryant. Big moments call for big players.
Orlando begin with consecutive turnovers and Gasol draws first blood of OT with two FT's. 90-88 LA.
3.20 - Howard gets the basket and the foul. First time that has happened for the behemoth all night. He sinks the extra point and is now 7-9 from the line this game. You have to like the way he has responded to pressure in the playoffs. 91-90 Orlando.
2.40 - Ariza and Redick both miss from threeland.
2.19 - Bryant is almost down on his backside as he makes a hard shot. Lakers back in front 92-91.
Fisher hits two after being fouled and the Lakers advantage is now 3.
1.14 - Turkoglu's shot seemed destined to fall only to fly out of the basket and Gasol takes it to the hole on the other end, with the foul. Good work inside by Kobe and with the FT, the Lakers move 97-91 ahead. Timeout Orlando as they attempt to come up with an escape plan.
Redick lays one in and Kobe loses the ball out of bounds at the other end. The Magic need to take advantage but Lewis' three attempt doesn't want to go, just like Hedo's a minute previous.
0.26.2 - It's Cleveland all over again as Rashard receives an inbound, turns, fires and scores from outside the arc and the Magic still have some magic left. 99-96 LA.
0.22.1 - Redick fouls Odom and he scores both, that's 14 straight for the team at a critical time.
End of OT - The Lakers hold on and win it 101-96. They take a 2-0 series lead and will feel confident of securing another NBA Championship, despite an incomplete performance. The Magic were far better than in Game 1 and fought hard in the second half plus overtime but unfortunately for them, it wasn't quite enough.
Orlando have still yet to win a game in the Finals (0-6) and their best chance to change that record and to take control of this series may have slipped through Courtney Lee's fingers as time expired at the end of regulation.
Game 3 is Tuesday night at the Amway Arena, Orlando.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Warming up for the World Cup
In 13 months the football world will head to Soccer City and the 19th World Champions will be crowned infront of 94,000 people in Johannesburg. With the first few teams ensuring their place alongside South Africa at next summer's marquee event, it seems an appropriate time to make the initial forrays into previewing the tournament.
The 'I've heard that Bali is lovely in the summer...just make sure we get a room with a big tv' Bracket
32 teams qualify which means that over 160 miss out. While few neutrals will miss the likes of Laos, Moldova or Barbados, a few International heavyweights will not be posted an invite to the party. None of the following are out of contention yet but are struggling to qualify.
Sweden - Runners up in 58' and qualifiers for every major tournament this decade, the Swedes have got off to an indifferent start to this campaign. Just 2 goals scored in 5 games including a 0-0 in Albania and a 1-0 defeat at home to local rivals Denmark. With the exception of the return match in Copenhagen, Sweden will be favourites in their remaining fixtures but may well have to win them all to even make the playoffs.
125/1 (Odds to win the tournament)
Portugal - Also in Group 1, Portugal have become an elite team in the last few years, exemplified by their semi final appearance in the last World Cup and runners up finish in the 2004 European Championships. They also possess many of the World's most expensive and best known players - Bosingwa, Carvalho, Deco, Pepe, Joao Moutinho, Simao, Nani and of course Cristiano Ronaldo. Failure to qualify would seem unthinkable but Bruno Alves' last minute winner in Albania on Saturday only just kept their chances alive. They have two key ties against Hungary but, like Sweden, may be playing for second place behind the Danes (who they lead 2-1 in the 89th minute only to lose 3-2 in Lisbon last year). If they can find a way to South Africa, they will be amongst the favourites.
33/1
Czech Republic - Since spliting from Slovakia in 1993, the Czechs have only made it to one World Cup Finals and failed to progress beyond the first round on that occasion. They have a better record in the EURO's, making the 96' final and the semis in 2004 (a tournament they should have won) but once again seem unable to peak in time for the global prize. The golden generation of Nedved and Poborsky are behind them and, after their poor start and an incident following their defeat at home to Slovakia, six players including Milan Baros and then-captain Tomas Ujfalusi were banned. Tomas Rosicky, the new captain, has hardly been seen in 18 months due to injury. This is a team in turmoil but they don't have a game until September and are capable of winning all four that remain. Winning their next match, in Slovakia, will be vital.
100/1
Turkey - The Turks have only ever qualified for 5 major tournaments (only 2 were World Cups) but are another team to have emerged in the last ten years; quarter-finalists in 2000 EURO's, 3rd place in 2002 World Cup and entertaining semi-finalists in the 2008 European Championships. Two defeats to Spain are nothing to criticise but they trail an improving Bosnia team by 4 points and and 10 goal difference and have to travel there in September.
250/1
Cameroon - Considered perennial qualifiers, the 'Indomitable Lions' failed to make it to Germany in 2006 and may miss out once again. Emmanuel Adebayor's goal beat them in Togo, they could only draw at home to Morocco and next travel to a Gabon side that has won both its game in the round so far. Their future is still in their own hands but they have started poorly.
66/1
Mexico - They almost always qualify and have made the knockout round in the last four tournaments but find themselves in a spot of bother. Three defeats in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying cost Sven-Goran Eriksson his job but they only trail the team in third (the final qualifying spot) by 2 points and do have 4 home games to play. New manager Javier Aguirre could still guide this team to South Africa but, to this point, their performances have not convinced that they will.
66/1
The 'Let's just not be remembered as the worst hosts since Steven Seagal was on Saturday Night Live' Bracket
South Africa - They won the right to host the festival of football in 2004, however rumours ran throughout the next few years that the tournament may be relocated amidst fears that stadia and infrastructure may not be finished. These issues appear to have been dealt with but concerns about the team's competitiveness have replaced them. As hosts, they have not had to qualify but did play in the qualifying rounds as they double up as African Nation's Cup qualification; they won just two games, both against Equitoreal Guniea, and failed to make the final round. Every team that has held the tournament has made it past the first round, 6 have won it, but Bafana Bafana will do well to keep that streak alive.
150/1
The 'Des Walker/David Ginola/Scott Carson couldn't even cost us a place but someone will have to reference Wikipedia to remember what we did there' Bracket
Costa Rica - Lead CONCACAF Qualifying and are on course to make their third successive World Cup. Striker Alvaro Sarborio has scored key goals and could be on his way to the Premiership. Like i said, Wikipedia.
5000/1
The 'Benjamin Disraeli award for most times referred to as a dark horse' Bracket
66/1
Denmark - After drawing their opening qualifier in Budapest, the Danes have won all five games, including stellar victories in Portugal and Sweden. Thomas Kahlenberg, Christian Poulsen and Daniel Agger could all star but can the old guard of Rommedahl, Jorgensen and Gronkjaer provide a cutting edge alongside Bendtner?
100/1
Russia - Semi-finalists in the last European Championships (they beat England on the way there and then Greece, Sweden and Holland at the tournament before falling to eventual winners Spain), the Russians may define the term 'dark horse.' An astute manager, a strong team ethic and a scattering of top-class players will make them dangerous but historically they do not travel well. Yuri Zhirkov and Pavel Pogrebnyak could join Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko in the Premiership next season.
33/1
Croatia - Their best chance of success may have passed them by in Austria and Switzerland but the current incarnate should have learnt from their defeat to the Turks. Well beaten by England in Zagreb and not overly impressive in the preliminary stages to this point, the Croats will hope to peak at the right time. Players like Modric, Kranjcar, Corluka, Mandzukic and Rakitic are all under 24 and should continue to improve while Olic, Pranjic, Petric, Klasnic, Srna and Leko will be in their prime next year.
50/1
The 'You looked much better from the other side of the club' Bracket
Don't fall in love with a girl while drunk = Don't trust that a team that performs well early will be end up being the champions.
Italy - The reigning World Champions have hardly looked invincible since lifting the trophy for the fourth time but their form between competitions is rarely an indication of their potential. Lippi will rely on several veterans of the last World Cup (penalty hero Grosso, Luca Toni, Andrea Pirlo, Rino Gattuso, Mauro Camoranesi, Gigi Buffon and captain Fabio Cannavaro) but are the next generation ready? Nobody will fancy them for the tournament but nobody ever really does.
10/1
France - No Zidane? No Chance...Well, perhaps not quite but since his explosive dismissal in the last WC final, little has gone right for Les Bleus. They lost that final on penalties and were terrible at EURO 2008, only collecting a single point in the group stage. Raymond Domenech was allowed to keep his job after that failure but has been under pressure virtually since arriving in the post almost five years ago. His cause won't have been helped by a defeat in Austria in their opening qualifier but they have responded and sit second, behind Serbia. Assuming they make it to South Africa, the question will be whether to stay with the old guard (Vieira, Gallas, Silvestre) or hand the team over to the next wave - Gourcuff, Benzema, Diaby, Diarra, Clichy, Nasri, Ben Arfa, Briand...There are alot. Any team with the likes of Henry, Ribery et al can't be that bad right?
16/1
Germany - Quarter-finalists in each of the last seven WC finals and finalists in an amazing 5 of the last 9 tournaments. The Germans do not have a side to scare anybody and yet they will probably be there at the end, again.
10/1
Spain - Favourites with anybody who had the pleasure of watching them at EURO 2008 and the heart of their midfield outclass Man United's in the Champions League final. They, along with the Dutch, are the best sides never to win the big one but their victory in Vienna last summer should have helped aleviate their apparent stage fright. Probably the only side that could think of outplaying South America's finest, the spine of the team may be stronger than any other in World football - Casillas, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Torres and Villa.
5/1
England - Oh Fabio, where for out thy Fabio? England's romancer has arrived and is leading the Three Lions towards safari-land. Almost certain to qualify after a perfect start and boasting a crop of players who will know that this may be their last chance - Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand, Beckham...this is your time.
7/1
The 'What? No European team has won the trophy outside Europe? Oh goody...' Bracket
5/1
Argentina - Not past the quarters since Maradona left this team but now, with the nation's idol back as coach, they could be about to make all that right. Not exactly flying through the maze of CONMEBOL qualifying but in Leo Messi and Sergio Aguero have the two most natural successors to Maradona's no.10 shirt. Probably should have won the thing last time around but they may be even better next year.
6/1
The 'I've heard that Bali is lovely in the summer...just make sure we get a room with a big tv' Bracket
32 teams qualify which means that over 160 miss out. While few neutrals will miss the likes of Laos, Moldova or Barbados, a few International heavyweights will not be posted an invite to the party. None of the following are out of contention yet but are struggling to qualify.
Sweden - Runners up in 58' and qualifiers for every major tournament this decade, the Swedes have got off to an indifferent start to this campaign. Just 2 goals scored in 5 games including a 0-0 in Albania and a 1-0 defeat at home to local rivals Denmark. With the exception of the return match in Copenhagen, Sweden will be favourites in their remaining fixtures but may well have to win them all to even make the playoffs.
125/1 (Odds to win the tournament)
Portugal - Also in Group 1, Portugal have become an elite team in the last few years, exemplified by their semi final appearance in the last World Cup and runners up finish in the 2004 European Championships. They also possess many of the World's most expensive and best known players - Bosingwa, Carvalho, Deco, Pepe, Joao Moutinho, Simao, Nani and of course Cristiano Ronaldo. Failure to qualify would seem unthinkable but Bruno Alves' last minute winner in Albania on Saturday only just kept their chances alive. They have two key ties against Hungary but, like Sweden, may be playing for second place behind the Danes (who they lead 2-1 in the 89th minute only to lose 3-2 in Lisbon last year). If they can find a way to South Africa, they will be amongst the favourites.
33/1
Czech Republic - Since spliting from Slovakia in 1993, the Czechs have only made it to one World Cup Finals and failed to progress beyond the first round on that occasion. They have a better record in the EURO's, making the 96' final and the semis in 2004 (a tournament they should have won) but once again seem unable to peak in time for the global prize. The golden generation of Nedved and Poborsky are behind them and, after their poor start and an incident following their defeat at home to Slovakia, six players including Milan Baros and then-captain Tomas Ujfalusi were banned. Tomas Rosicky, the new captain, has hardly been seen in 18 months due to injury. This is a team in turmoil but they don't have a game until September and are capable of winning all four that remain. Winning their next match, in Slovakia, will be vital.
100/1
Turkey - The Turks have only ever qualified for 5 major tournaments (only 2 were World Cups) but are another team to have emerged in the last ten years; quarter-finalists in 2000 EURO's, 3rd place in 2002 World Cup and entertaining semi-finalists in the 2008 European Championships. Two defeats to Spain are nothing to criticise but they trail an improving Bosnia team by 4 points and and 10 goal difference and have to travel there in September.
250/1
Cameroon - Considered perennial qualifiers, the 'Indomitable Lions' failed to make it to Germany in 2006 and may miss out once again. Emmanuel Adebayor's goal beat them in Togo, they could only draw at home to Morocco and next travel to a Gabon side that has won both its game in the round so far. Their future is still in their own hands but they have started poorly.
66/1
Mexico - They almost always qualify and have made the knockout round in the last four tournaments but find themselves in a spot of bother. Three defeats in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying cost Sven-Goran Eriksson his job but they only trail the team in third (the final qualifying spot) by 2 points and do have 4 home games to play. New manager Javier Aguirre could still guide this team to South Africa but, to this point, their performances have not convinced that they will.
66/1
The 'Let's just not be remembered as the worst hosts since Steven Seagal was on Saturday Night Live' Bracket
South Africa - They won the right to host the festival of football in 2004, however rumours ran throughout the next few years that the tournament may be relocated amidst fears that stadia and infrastructure may not be finished. These issues appear to have been dealt with but concerns about the team's competitiveness have replaced them. As hosts, they have not had to qualify but did play in the qualifying rounds as they double up as African Nation's Cup qualification; they won just two games, both against Equitoreal Guniea, and failed to make the final round. Every team that has held the tournament has made it past the first round, 6 have won it, but Bafana Bafana will do well to keep that streak alive.
150/1
The 'Des Walker/David Ginola/Scott Carson couldn't even cost us a place but someone will have to reference Wikipedia to remember what we did there' Bracket
Costa Rica - Lead CONCACAF Qualifying and are on course to make their third successive World Cup. Striker Alvaro Sarborio has scored key goals and could be on his way to the Premiership. Like i said, Wikipedia.
5000/1
The 'Benjamin Disraeli award for most times referred to as a dark horse' Bracket
These sides never ever ever win, ever, only 7 nations ever have, but here are some of the semi-finalists in the last 30 years: Poland, Belgium, England, Croatia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Turkey, Portugal and South Korea.
Ghana - Looking good to qualify and one of the eminent forces in Africa right now. Ghana made the knockout phase last time around, beating the Czechs and Americans on the way, and feature some top class talent, particularly in midfield with the likes of Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Moussa Narry and the splendid Michael Essien. Should be a more savvy group than the one exposed by Brazil in 2006.
80/1
Ivory Coast - Much fancied, they were unlucky to be drawn in the 'group of death' in 2006 and were eliminated following narrow defeats to Argentina and Holland. They should qualify (although they face two big games against Burkina Faso that they need to survive unscathed) and as long as they do, will boast an experienced and accomplished squad that few will want to play; Didier Drogba will be joined by Kolo and Yaya Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Didier Zokora, Abdul Keita, Salomon Kalou and Arouna Kone - all of whom will benefit from playing in Germany.
40/1
Paraguay - A new breed of players are leading a resurgent Paraguayan team to new heights. They have never been beyond the second round of a World Cup before but share the lead in qualifying with Brazil and have already beaten them in Asuncion. An experienced back line, lead by captain Julio Caceres, are complemented by some of the finest attacking talent the nation has ever known; Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Valdez and Oscar Cardozo have been regular scorers in England, Germany and Portugal over the last couple of seasons. Rarely do a South American sides beyond the big two make it to the latter stages but this team could suprise.66/1
Denmark - After drawing their opening qualifier in Budapest, the Danes have won all five games, including stellar victories in Portugal and Sweden. Thomas Kahlenberg, Christian Poulsen and Daniel Agger could all star but can the old guard of Rommedahl, Jorgensen and Gronkjaer provide a cutting edge alongside Bendtner?
100/1
Russia - Semi-finalists in the last European Championships (they beat England on the way there and then Greece, Sweden and Holland at the tournament before falling to eventual winners Spain), the Russians may define the term 'dark horse.' An astute manager, a strong team ethic and a scattering of top-class players will make them dangerous but historically they do not travel well. Yuri Zhirkov and Pavel Pogrebnyak could join Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko in the Premiership next season.
33/1
Croatia - Their best chance of success may have passed them by in Austria and Switzerland but the current incarnate should have learnt from their defeat to the Turks. Well beaten by England in Zagreb and not overly impressive in the preliminary stages to this point, the Croats will hope to peak at the right time. Players like Modric, Kranjcar, Corluka, Mandzukic and Rakitic are all under 24 and should continue to improve while Olic, Pranjic, Petric, Klasnic, Srna and Leko will be in their prime next year.
50/1
The 'You looked much better from the other side of the club' Bracket
Don't fall in love with a girl while drunk = Don't trust that a team that performs well early will be end up being the champions.
Holland - Runners-up in 74' and 78', home of some of the best players ever to lace a boot and masters of not quite living up to expectation. They are the first European side to qualify, albeit from an abysmal group (the second best team are Scotland), and hopes will be high for a squad involving some major talents - Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben and Van der Vaart lit up the group stages of the EURO's but fell flat against Russia. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay will join this star-studded group and who knows, if it all comes together, they could win their first title. They wont but it's guarenteed that someone will be smoking what they're selling in the build up.
10/1
The 'Manager will be sacked if we don't make the semi's...except Fabio Capello because we can't afford to pay him off - See Sven' BracketItaly - The reigning World Champions have hardly looked invincible since lifting the trophy for the fourth time but their form between competitions is rarely an indication of their potential. Lippi will rely on several veterans of the last World Cup (penalty hero Grosso, Luca Toni, Andrea Pirlo, Rino Gattuso, Mauro Camoranesi, Gigi Buffon and captain Fabio Cannavaro) but are the next generation ready? Nobody will fancy them for the tournament but nobody ever really does.
10/1
France - No Zidane? No Chance...Well, perhaps not quite but since his explosive dismissal in the last WC final, little has gone right for Les Bleus. They lost that final on penalties and were terrible at EURO 2008, only collecting a single point in the group stage. Raymond Domenech was allowed to keep his job after that failure but has been under pressure virtually since arriving in the post almost five years ago. His cause won't have been helped by a defeat in Austria in their opening qualifier but they have responded and sit second, behind Serbia. Assuming they make it to South Africa, the question will be whether to stay with the old guard (Vieira, Gallas, Silvestre) or hand the team over to the next wave - Gourcuff, Benzema, Diaby, Diarra, Clichy, Nasri, Ben Arfa, Briand...There are alot. Any team with the likes of Henry, Ribery et al can't be that bad right?
16/1
Germany - Quarter-finalists in each of the last seven WC finals and finalists in an amazing 5 of the last 9 tournaments. The Germans do not have a side to scare anybody and yet they will probably be there at the end, again.
10/1
Spain - Favourites with anybody who had the pleasure of watching them at EURO 2008 and the heart of their midfield outclass Man United's in the Champions League final. They, along with the Dutch, are the best sides never to win the big one but their victory in Vienna last summer should have helped aleviate their apparent stage fright. Probably the only side that could think of outplaying South America's finest, the spine of the team may be stronger than any other in World football - Casillas, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Torres and Villa.
5/1
England - Oh Fabio, where for out thy Fabio? England's romancer has arrived and is leading the Three Lions towards safari-land. Almost certain to qualify after a perfect start and boasting a crop of players who will know that this may be their last chance - Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand, Beckham...this is your time.
7/1
The 'What? No European team has won the trophy outside Europe? Oh goody...' Bracket
If it ain't Spain, it's one of these boys. Maybe Germany, maybe Italy or England...probably Germany...
Brazil - They have appeared in every World Cup (a record) and have won 5 of them (a record) so if there was ever a favourite for the title its the boys from Brazil. Dunga has some exceptional talent to choose from as usual and, win or lose, will likely provide some of the most sparkling moments of the tournament. Kaka will be running the show but it could be Lucio, captain and central defender, that could be the key cog in the machine.5/1
Argentina - Not past the quarters since Maradona left this team but now, with the nation's idol back as coach, they could be about to make all that right. Not exactly flying through the maze of CONMEBOL qualifying but in Leo Messi and Sergio Aguero have the two most natural successors to Maradona's no.10 shirt. Probably should have won the thing last time around but they may be even better next year.
6/1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)