Football Governance

Now this is good politics!

70 % Possession in First Half

Well, if the first half is indicative of anything, my prediction about the better team is dead on. The Argentines have controlled the ball for 70% of the time. Problem: they're still scoreless. If I were Argentina I would worry about the German size and - this is something huge - the 12th man. The fans will fire up the German team. We will see a different game second half. Has Argentina lost its chance?

Spain v. France

I wondered if I might have thought too much of the game. Thankfully, I realize that my interest in the Spain. v. France game was mild compared to this guy.

So Says Rongen. . .

So says Rongen

I'm not sold on England, but I think it will find a way against a weakened Portuguese side that can't count on a 100-percent healthy Cristiano Ronaldo and an aging Luis Figo, who will be playing in his fifth match in 21 days.

As I said earlier, I favor Germany over Argentina even though I am a huge fan of José Pekerman, whom I coached against at the under-20 level. But a raucous Berlin crowd will be too much for his Argentine squad to overcome.

Ukraine simply doesn't have the horses to compete with Italy. Francesco Totti hadn't showed up at all before hitting the penalty kick that eliminated Australia, and I think that will jump-start him. And with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon playing as well as he is, there's no way Ukraine will get past the Azzurri.

Brazil is going to end Zinedine Zidane's career -- but this might be the greatest game of the tournament. France is a proud football nation and one of the best in Europe, and the French will show off all of their skill and tactical ability. But in the end, Brazil will avenge its loss in '98 and send Les Bleus home.

What do you say? Predictions, anyone?

World Cup Scents FOR SALE! (do i care?)

I really, really, really enjoy the big soccer tournements (the African Cup still being one of my all time favorites), but I can't decide if I will buy a bag of air from the World Cup stadiums. Hmmm. Veerrry tempting!

Congratulations, LES BLEUS!

Spain v. France

END: Zindine ends like a champion. No wonder his own peers say he is the best player of the century. What a way to finish. France is playing better each game. I am sorry for Spain though. Really. But, they are young. They will be strong two years from now.

91:00 - ZIZOU! ZIZOU! ZIZOU! ZIZOU! ZIZOU!

90:30 - Did Zizou get the yellow card or not? I missed it.

90:00 - Okay, Barthez is getting way too much action. I have to admit that he is still good in the air. But, slow. Scarey.

87:00 - Wow! Intense! Spain is making a statement. I like Wiltord. I watched him when he played for Bordeaux. Good defending by Zizou.

85:00 - Nice header from ?. Wow! Spain needs to kick it up a notch. They need to use their speed. If I'm Spanish, I am screaming at them to start running like crazy.

84:00 - The rational side of me admits that the yellow was harsh.

83:55 - GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL! GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!

82:00 - A VERY, VERY WELL DESERVED YELLOW CARD! FINALLY! THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!

80:00 - Okay, my depressing prediction is going to be wrong, I hope. The pace of this game is great. I'm loving it. Some people want the referee to keep breaking up the game.... ;-), but champions come to play!!! (Okay, I'm getting to cocky in spite of my dire prediction about the last ten minutes.) A shoot out will kill us. Old men can't run after 90 minutes. Help!

77:53 - I thnk the good/bad calls are evenly distributed. Perhaps the Spanish side needs to - WHOAH!!!! Spain shoots on goal! Yikes! Barthez is seriously tested any time the ball crosses the half line.

76:51 - Spain gets a corner. Barthez makes a save.

72:13 - Interesting sub action going on. Not sure I quite understand what the Spanish side is doing.

68:00 - Here we go. Barthez is getting tested. That header was close. I begin to mourn. Already.

66:40 - Actually, I'm glad to see that he is not carding like nuts.

61:45 - France needs to keep winning corners. This is good. Henry is playing too selfishly, I think. Prediction: Spain scores on lightening speed corner attack in last ten minutes. Go on to win.

59:43 - Whoa! That as a close call. Spain is picking up tempo. This is not good news for Les Bleus. Barthez only needs to be tested a few times before he'll crack.

58:33 - I agree with Chris about Zizou getting tired. But, Zizou is like Michael Jordan was. A tired Michael Jordan could rest and then shine for a minute or two. That would make a big, dangerous difference.

56:00 - Of course in this picture, he was awesome. But that was in 1998.

53:31 - Does France not have a better keeper? They should hire me to scout one out. Barthez used to be good, but Manchest let him go for a reason.

51:00 - What a save by the Spanish keeper!

50:25 - The first few minutes of each half are always nerve-wracking as each side attempts to get rid of jiters and set the pace to their own liking.
The pitch looks very slippery.

Halftime - My sister shouldn't call so soon! This game is good so far. I think that if Spain doesn't adjust their strategy, France still has hope. Frankly, I'm amazed that anybody would face Zinedine and Henry and play such a high defense.... Even if they're old... But, I'm inclined to think that Aragones will make some significant changes. That's what I would do if I were the Spanish coach. I'm not sure what to do if I were the French coach except to take Barthez out and replace him with the water boy.

44:00 - France got a break with the no-call defending the Spanish counter-attack. I think. But, those kinds of no-calls happen all the time on counter-attacks because the ref is running full speed to catch up to the action.

41:00 - GOAL! I just had said that. nd they beat the trap for a goal.

Chris, the off-side traps killed Ghana against Brazil. But I think it will work better for Spain against France. France is slow. However, you're right. Henry can spark from time to time. And it only takes one time.

37:30- Zidane got superstar treatment with the no call.

34:50- What is everybody saying about the racist remark from Spain's coach? I totally missed that. And, I hope it fires Henry up. Henry is looking for it. Offsides though.

We are twenty minutes in. No real developments yet to encourage either side.

22:46 - Wow! Close one for France! We almost put it in! Zidane is proving why he was three time FIFA player of the year. Actually, though I said the above, I didn't mean to sound disparaging. I think both teams are playing well. And, can you belive this, no cards so far!

25:15 - I can't either, Chris. The pace seems to be going in France's favor at the moment. BTW, keep refreshing your screen. I'm updating regularly. But, it really does rot that they missed that cross.

26:55 - PENALTY. Grrrrrr. I said if Spain scores first, Spain wins...

Good call. The ref did not hesitate like so many have done this tournement. Thuram is good. But he can be too physical.

DID YOU SEE ZIDANE CATCH THAT BALL?

I Can't Miss This - Predictions

I have missed several games, but the Spain/France clash I must not miss. I am not sure, but I do not think Spain has ever beat France in a competitive match. If so, it has been ages. However, though my loyalties go to France, my mind tells me that today is Spain's big day.

If Spain strikes early, they have a better chance. But I'm inclined to think the longer the game goes, the better it is for the older, more experienced team which, today, happens to be France.

But France has not looked good. Unless they play differently than they have this tournement, I predict that Spain will carry the day 2 - 0.

And -- please don't kill me France supporters! -- I think the Cup will be much more interesting if Spain can beat France. If they beat France, suddenly the final rounds are going to become very, very fascinating. A Spain that has snapped the spell is a Spain that nobody has ever seen but nonetheless a Spain that everyone has acknowledge to have amazing potential.

Today's the day.

I shall be blogging throughout!

Bravo, Portugal!

I only saw the last twenty minutes. Wow! Was it ever intense!! That is the way World Cup games are supposed to be. But, come on! The cards... Chris, I know that you think the refereeing is great, but I have my doubts. Of course, as I said, I only saw the last twenty minutes. I just think that the cards had to have been flying. Nonetheless, I have never been a real enthusiast for the Netherlands (even though they wear Protestant organge). On the other hand, I have always enjoyed watching Figo play either for his national team or his pro team in Spain. This Cup is getting more and more interesting, I think.

I really would like to see England ousted.

Coach Aragones and Psychology

I don't know much about Luis Aragones, but I have to say that he must have a degree in psychology after reading this article about his thoughts on the upcoming game against France.
I think if I were a coach, I'd say the same thing. Somehow he has managed to say the truth about the French squad (they're not as good as everyone thinks), enthuse the Spaniards with the very real likelihood of their win, and then sagely sober everyone about France's potential to display champion metal and prove to be an formidable foe. Somehow, he managed to mix tough, pep-rally rah-rah with sobering guardedness and maintain amazing accuracy! Brilliant.

I'm impressed. I wonder if that is why he is 25-0 as Spain's coach?

A Win and a Winning Draw

Did not find out until five o'clock tonight that France won -- apparently convincingly! Wow! I wish I could have seen it. Now they play Spain. This is not good. It will be a very tough game and my Spanish cousins will not speak to me again after they lose. Oh, well. . . I am a supporting pastor of one of my Spanish cousins. I have resolved to drop his support if Spain wins!

In the meantime, back on the ranch in the real world of brotherhood and Christian character, I played for a draw. The brother made a point to apologize to me, and assure me that he is not at all interested in making that issue divisive. I had already decided that I would just stick to more neutral elements within my presentation, but it was decidedly easier after that short conversation.

I am still bamboozled by the fact that Fundamentalists can work with 1611-ers (Yes, I have actually heard that trumpeted today), but eye with suspicion the rock solid Master's Seminary grad. Blows my mind. I delight in the catholicity of spirit that is shown toward the 1611 errors (gulp!), but wonder why in the world that same magnanimity cannot be shown to the guy who has a guitar in his worship service. Some things I will never understand.

What I do understand, however, is that we are a rag-tag band of brothers mustered out of the riff-raff of the world and entrusted with the mercy of ministry as Paul says. And truly it must be a ministry if we are used.

Oh, well. I am showing great magnanimity of soul and catholicity of spirit by following the example of Hudson Taylor and wearing what the natives wear. I have, believe it or not, been wearing a suit ALL day long.

It's green. Should be red, white, and blue. For LES BLEUS, not les flops.

I'm having fun in all of the above. This conference has actually been very, very insightful. All of our team is very glad we are here. More on that later perhaps.

USA, Soccer, and Typical Fundamentalism

The FIFA rankings certainly are confusing. The #2 Czech's after trouncing the USA (weren't they ranked 5?) wilted in their group. I don't know what is going on. It's a bummer that I will miss the France game tomorrow.

I wonder if they want me speaking anyway. Endured all kinds of anti-calvinism remarks and hooping 'amens' from the frothed up crowd tonight. Heard tonight that "those intellectuals" whenever they can't explain a disaster "blame it on God" just so that they don't have to evangelize. I immediately went up to the speaker to verify that he remembered that two weeks earlier I had told him I was a five-point calvinist. Ironic, because I have been asked to speak on evangelism. And the motive that drives it, I say, is that the Sovereign God sent the storms. Oh, well, leave it to Fundamentalists to love inconsistencies as long as it gets an 'amen.' Leave it to them to blast "those intellectuals" for the "fans." Nothing like a bully pulpit, I guess.

I speak tomorrow. I can't decide if I want to play for a tie, or for the three points.

World Cup Schedule

Donna asked earlier about a site that would be useful for predicting who goes where. I think this is helpful.

I will be leaving for Independence, MO tomorrow and I have a session I need to prepare for, so I have missed the games this week (except for Monday). I'm mildly interested in today. Bummed that I'll not even have a chance to sneak a peek on the France game Friday. Unless Tricity has wireless.

Spain v. Tunisia

Bravo, Spain! This team never ceases to amaze me. Maybe this is the year they will snap the spell and actually be on the World Cup stage what they actually have potential to be: winners! I'm sure my Spanish relatives are happy.

Donna, I didn't like Pope because I thought he was slow, sloppy, sluggish, over-rated, and seemed to display an irritating nonchalence. The yellow card might have been harsh, but he was just plain dumb to have made that kind of tackle when he already had a card.

I wonder if my cousins are so inflated with optimism that they actually think Spain will go all the way. I predict Spain will be in the last eight. No more. They can't go that long without choking.

What about France? Irritating. Barthez is too old, too slow, and too bald. It's true that they got a goal stolen from them. That was obvious. Everybody knows it now. FIFA is going to have to consider technology. But France needs to score. I think everybody is watching France just to see Zidane one last time. When most footballers refer to him as one of the top players of the century, it's fun to watch him - even when he's not doing anything. His wonder-working footwork is still there, though not as consistently or constant as in his earlier years, but he is getting old. With one of the world's greatest midfielders, France ought to do him a favor and providing some decent strikers.

That's my opinion. Now, where are the nachos?

USA v. Italy

My wife is my best friend. But she doesn't seem to get into soccer. She actually is so irreligious that she was reading email and looking at pictures during the first half. Looks like I might even be alone during the second half. Anyway, I am going to blog in order to vent (as true soccer afficionados do). I really don't care if any one reads this. But feed back is fun.

I have been frustrated by the cards in this tournament anyway. But the red card on Italy was deserved. The red on US was horrific. I think the look on the ref's face says it all. He knows he has blown it.

The US is playing well.

Unbelievable!

The Ref just carded Pope. I called Ben Wright in the first half and told him that I didn't like Pope. My exact statement -- Ben, be my witness -- was that Pope was going to be our side's achilles heel. I was right. But the call was unjust.