World Cup Ramblings

Well I can honestly say - I really did not think that Italy and England both would have two draws under their belt going into the third match. And really - I don't even think the bookies thought so either. And who would have thought a Portugal team who fielded a group I only know like 2 players would go on to ROUTE North Korea - which I am extremely happy about.

Then there is the referee issue. Unfortunately I felt from the start of the tournmanet that the referees were doing a good job. And then all of a sudden - it went dowhill. However, I think it is atrocious how officials have been decided for the world cup. How does a referee from a third world country with no quality league experience beat out officials from say......oh maybe the US (there are no US officials at the WC) with a second tier professional league to officiate in a match? That makes no sense. If the teams and players are expected to qualify - then it should not just be a physical test to pass and then a - well let's give someone a chance kind of thing. Millions of dollars are on the line. People's jobs are on the line. This isn't a charity tournament. But what do you expect with a guy like Sepp Blatter in chage of FIFA.......

The French - they are imploding! And I love it! I had them as the choke team of the tournament. SO to recap for you:

1. Scandal ties 3 players to underage teenage hooker a month or two before the tournament.
2. Coach benches Thierry Henry in favor of who again? Don't even remember the guy's name. Causes rift between team and coach.
3. Anelka refuses to play with said player during the match by not passing him the ball.
4. Anelka gets into profanity tirade with coach after match. Later is told to apologize - he refuses.
5. Someone from inside the team circle (my bet is on the trainer) leaks to the media the tirade.
6. Anelka is dismissed from the team.
7. Captain Patrice Evra has words with the coach the next day and then confronts the trainer about????????? Hmmmmmm my guess is he was the leak.
8. Trainer freaks out - there is video of it - on Evra (Evra was calm the whole time) and the trainer quits - throwing his badge on the way off the grounds.
9. French team gets back on bus and refuses to train in support of Anelka.
10. Team president or some other title from the federation decides he has had enough of the circus and HE quits!

And so here we are - one day away from France's last game of the tournament where they could bomb out. Will be an interesting day tomorrow.