Today was the worst day for the FIFA World Cup.
The first match was a unexpected upset as Serbia defeated Germany 1-0.
The Germans were favorites in the match, but they could not get nothing to fall for them.
Not too long ago, the Germans defeated Australia easily in a 4-0 victory.
The second match was USA vs. Slovenia.
Slovenia was on a roll after they won their first match.
It was a difficult match for USA because they had to switch roles of being the underdogs in their first match against England, to being favorites in this match.
Slovenia scored two goals in the first half. USA allowed the pair of goals by poor defense.
As Slovenia relaxed with their two goal lead, the Americans stormed out of halftime and scored a pair of goals of their own.
As the match was tied with less than 20 minutes left in the game, the Americans scored again, but the official who was calling the match, called off the goal because he said an American player committed a foul during the play.
The Americans showed frustration and anger because after the replay was shown multiple times, no where did it show that an American committed a foul.
The Americans were basically screwed a goal and a win.
The third match of the day was England vs. Algeria.
It was a perfect opportunity for England to get a win and keep the Americans hopes of advancing out of group play low.
But the match finished in a 0-0 draw and neither England or USA could make progress in the group standings.
The Americans group is a weak and pathetic group. It does not have great teams and England has shown they can hardly score a goal. All four teams are not great and the two teams who advance from the group, will surely be knocked out in the first round of the final 16.
Group C standings: Slovenia has four points, England and USA both have two points and Algeria has one point.
Next matches for Group C: England vs. Slovenia on June 23 at 7 a.m. on ESPN 2. USA vs. Algeria on June 23 at 7 a.m. on ESPN.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Lakers go back to back
The Los Angeles Lakers repeated as NBA Champions last night after defeating the Boston Celtics 83-79.
What a game it was for the Lakers.
The team started off bad on the offensive side. Missing shot after shot, especially Kobe Bryant.
They trailed by nine points after the first quarter and scoring only 14 points.
It continued to look bad in the second quarter and Lakers fans started to get nervous and scared that it was going to be a sad ending to the season.
The Lakers managed to cut the Celtics lead to four points by halftime, but Bryant continued to shoot poorly from the field.
After the game, Bryant said that he let the hype of the game and what was on stake, get the best of him and he was lucky that his team was able to pull him up.
The second half started to become a nightmare for Los Angeles, as the Celtics lead grew to their max high, 13 points, but the Lakers continued to play hard.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, was asked what did he say to the team during the Celtics run, and he said that he told the team to keep rebounding the ball.
His players listened as Bryant (who was not effective offensively) had 15 rebounds to finish the game.
Pau Gasol, the Lakers true MVP of the finals, finished the game 19 points and 18 rebounds.
The Lakers had 23 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers came out in the fourth and made a magnificent come back from the free throw line and was led by Gasol.
The real player that had a big contribution to this win was none other than Ron Artest.
Artest, the player who had a horrible percentage from beyond the arc in the playoffs, hit a huge three pointer for the Lakers down the stretch, after Rasheed Wallace hit a big three to cut the Lakers lead to three.
It was a wonderful ending for the Lakers. Not only did the Lakers went back to back, but they also got the big payback on the hated Celtics.
As a Lakers fan, I am so excited to see the Lakers succeed and watch them get another championship.
It was a long season and as hard it is to repeat, the Lakers did it.
Now it is a summer of partying and showing the pride and love of being a Lakers fan.
When the new season starts in Novemeber, the quest for a three peat starts.
Lets do it again Los Angeles!
What a game it was for the Lakers.
The team started off bad on the offensive side. Missing shot after shot, especially Kobe Bryant.
They trailed by nine points after the first quarter and scoring only 14 points.
It continued to look bad in the second quarter and Lakers fans started to get nervous and scared that it was going to be a sad ending to the season.
The Lakers managed to cut the Celtics lead to four points by halftime, but Bryant continued to shoot poorly from the field.
After the game, Bryant said that he let the hype of the game and what was on stake, get the best of him and he was lucky that his team was able to pull him up.
The second half started to become a nightmare for Los Angeles, as the Celtics lead grew to their max high, 13 points, but the Lakers continued to play hard.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, was asked what did he say to the team during the Celtics run, and he said that he told the team to keep rebounding the ball.
His players listened as Bryant (who was not effective offensively) had 15 rebounds to finish the game.
Pau Gasol, the Lakers true MVP of the finals, finished the game 19 points and 18 rebounds.
The Lakers had 23 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers came out in the fourth and made a magnificent come back from the free throw line and was led by Gasol.
The real player that had a big contribution to this win was none other than Ron Artest.
Artest, the player who had a horrible percentage from beyond the arc in the playoffs, hit a huge three pointer for the Lakers down the stretch, after Rasheed Wallace hit a big three to cut the Lakers lead to three.
It was a wonderful ending for the Lakers. Not only did the Lakers went back to back, but they also got the big payback on the hated Celtics.
As a Lakers fan, I am so excited to see the Lakers succeed and watch them get another championship.
It was a long season and as hard it is to repeat, the Lakers did it.
Now it is a summer of partying and showing the pride and love of being a Lakers fan.
When the new season starts in Novemeber, the quest for a three peat starts.
Lets do it again Los Angeles!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Substitutions win the game for Mexico
The game of the day in the 2010 World Cup was the 2-0 Mexico win over France.
The two teams were playing with a lot on the line. Both teams were playing for a chance to keep their chance to advance from the group alive.
Yesterday Uruguay defeated South Africa easily, 3-0 and had first place spot in the group.
Either Mexico or France could join Uruguay with four points, but they also could have remained tied with a draw in today's match.
The first half was quite with a 0-0 tie going into half.
Mexico made a few substitutions after the half and it would turn out to be the best move from Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre.
The first sub, Javier Hernandez, scored on a open net after beating the defenders and going around France's goalkeeper.
France thought it was a offside, but the sideline officals called him onside and Hernandez continued on to finish the goal.
The second sub, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, scored the second goal for Mexico after one of the France defender's was caught slide tackling a Mexican player inside the goal box, and rewarding the Mexicans with a penalty.
The Mexicans are now tied with Uruguay with four points, and France is tied with South Africa with one point.
As long as Mexico and Uruguay can finish their match with a draw than both teams will move on into the final 16.
The scenario is easy, but the challenge for Mexico and Uruguay is to win the top spot in Group A, because neither team does not want to face Argentina (the top team in Group B) in the first match of the final 16.
(The winner of Group A faces the second place team in Group B and the winner of Group B faces the second place team in Group A. The same goes for Group C and Group D, Group E and Group F, Group G and Group H.)
Earlier in the morning, Argentina murdered South Korea in a 4-1 victory.
Argentina were clearly favorites to win Group B, and it was no surprised they easily defeated the Southern Korans.
The other match of Group B, Greece vs. Nigeria, was a exciting but it was it was not a good game.
Greece won the game 2-1.
Group A standings: Uruguay and Mexico with four points and France and South Africa with one point.
Group B standings: Argentina with six points, South Korea and Greece with three points and Nigeria with zero points.
The two teams were playing with a lot on the line. Both teams were playing for a chance to keep their chance to advance from the group alive.
Yesterday Uruguay defeated South Africa easily, 3-0 and had first place spot in the group.
Either Mexico or France could join Uruguay with four points, but they also could have remained tied with a draw in today's match.
The first half was quite with a 0-0 tie going into half.
Mexico made a few substitutions after the half and it would turn out to be the best move from Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre.
The first sub, Javier Hernandez, scored on a open net after beating the defenders and going around France's goalkeeper.
France thought it was a offside, but the sideline officals called him onside and Hernandez continued on to finish the goal.
The second sub, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, scored the second goal for Mexico after one of the France defender's was caught slide tackling a Mexican player inside the goal box, and rewarding the Mexicans with a penalty.
The Mexicans are now tied with Uruguay with four points, and France is tied with South Africa with one point.
As long as Mexico and Uruguay can finish their match with a draw than both teams will move on into the final 16.
The scenario is easy, but the challenge for Mexico and Uruguay is to win the top spot in Group A, because neither team does not want to face Argentina (the top team in Group B) in the first match of the final 16.
(The winner of Group A faces the second place team in Group B and the winner of Group B faces the second place team in Group A. The same goes for Group C and Group D, Group E and Group F, Group G and Group H.)
Earlier in the morning, Argentina murdered South Korea in a 4-1 victory.
Argentina were clearly favorites to win Group B, and it was no surprised they easily defeated the Southern Korans.
The other match of Group B, Greece vs. Nigeria, was a exciting but it was it was not a good game.
Greece won the game 2-1.
Group A standings: Uruguay and Mexico with four points and France and South Africa with one point.
Group B standings: Argentina with six points, South Korea and Greece with three points and Nigeria with zero points.
Biggest game of the season
After a grueling NBA Finals series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the series comes down to one single game at Staples Center tonight.
The series has been marvelous as both teams have shown that they can rebound from a bad loss and win a game with full dominance.
The Lakers faced elimination in Game 6 and played specular as they held the Celtics to 67 points!
The Lakers cannot let their guard down after that impressive win. If they want to repeat as champions; they must repeat what they did in Game 6 and raise up the notch ten times more then the Celtics.
I am confident the Lakers will prevail in Game 7 and win the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship for the second time in two years.
It has been a amazing season for the Lakers and winning Game 7 against their arch rivals would just be the perfect ending to the season.
Without Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics will be vulnerable inside the paint, so the Lakers must pound the ball inside to the big man for as long as they can.
The Lakers motto for the series has been, "No rebounds, no rings."
That's exactly what the Lakers also need to do, rebound!
Rebound, rebound, rebound Lakers.
Lets go Lakers. Lets get us another banner!
The series has been marvelous as both teams have shown that they can rebound from a bad loss and win a game with full dominance.
The Lakers faced elimination in Game 6 and played specular as they held the Celtics to 67 points!
The Lakers cannot let their guard down after that impressive win. If they want to repeat as champions; they must repeat what they did in Game 6 and raise up the notch ten times more then the Celtics.
I am confident the Lakers will prevail in Game 7 and win the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship for the second time in two years.
It has been a amazing season for the Lakers and winning Game 7 against their arch rivals would just be the perfect ending to the season.
Without Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics will be vulnerable inside the paint, so the Lakers must pound the ball inside to the big man for as long as they can.
The Lakers motto for the series has been, "No rebounds, no rings."
That's exactly what the Lakers also need to do, rebound!
Rebound, rebound, rebound Lakers.
Lets go Lakers. Lets get us another banner!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Spain falls to Switzerland
Spain loses to Switzerland.
Something that no one thought would happen, but the unthinkable happen and it came true.
The favorites to win the 2010 World Cup opened up its run to the cup with a 1-0 loss to Switzerland.
Spain and Switzerland had a competitive first half as both held a 0-0 draw for the first half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Switzerland scored the only goal of the match when Gelson Fernandes put the ball into the net after a loose ball stood inches from the goal line, and Spain's goalkeeper feet away from recovering the ball.
Spain had multiple chances to even up the score and take the lead, but they could not convert against the strong defense and goalkeeping from Switzerland.
Switzerland's victory is the biggest upset thus far in the World Cup.
The other match of the group featured Chile and Honduras.
Chile controlled the entire game and had tons of chances to score.
Chile's only goal came at the 34 minute mark by Jean Beausejour.
All the groups have played a match each, and now it started back to Group A.
Host country, South Africa, got back on the field after splitting a 1-1 draw with Mexico.
The team played Uruguay, a team who also had a draw in its first match with France.
Uruguay beat South Africa easily 3-0.
Diego Forlan scored twice for Uruguay and Alvaro Pereira scored in the closing minutes of the match.
Group H current standings: Chile and Switzerland with three points and Honduras and Spain with no points.
Next matches for Group H: Chile vs. Switzerland on June 21 at 7 a.m. on ESPN. Honduras vs. Spain on June 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Something that no one thought would happen, but the unthinkable happen and it came true.
The favorites to win the 2010 World Cup opened up its run to the cup with a 1-0 loss to Switzerland.
Spain and Switzerland had a competitive first half as both held a 0-0 draw for the first half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Switzerland scored the only goal of the match when Gelson Fernandes put the ball into the net after a loose ball stood inches from the goal line, and Spain's goalkeeper feet away from recovering the ball.
Spain had multiple chances to even up the score and take the lead, but they could not convert against the strong defense and goalkeeping from Switzerland.
Switzerland's victory is the biggest upset thus far in the World Cup.
The other match of the group featured Chile and Honduras.
Chile controlled the entire game and had tons of chances to score.
Chile's only goal came at the 34 minute mark by Jean Beausejour.
All the groups have played a match each, and now it started back to Group A.
Host country, South Africa, got back on the field after splitting a 1-1 draw with Mexico.
The team played Uruguay, a team who also had a draw in its first match with France.
Uruguay beat South Africa easily 3-0.
Diego Forlan scored twice for Uruguay and Alvaro Pereira scored in the closing minutes of the match.
Group H current standings: Chile and Switzerland with three points and Honduras and Spain with no points.
Next matches for Group H: Chile vs. Switzerland on June 21 at 7 a.m. on ESPN. Honduras vs. Spain on June 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Italy is not the same 2006 champions
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Champions, Italy, kicked off its campaign to defend its title against Paraguay today.
The match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Paraguay had no fear against the older and slower Italy team as the two teams had a heated battle for the first 25 minutes of the match.
Paraguay scored first at the 39 minute mark when Antolin Alcaraz connected with a header while being bodied up by two Italian defenders in the air.
The team celebrated by dancing in a big circle, but got back into the match as they tried to defend the one goal lead.
The Italians tried to get back into the match, but kept being called offside.
The second half continued to be like the first half, but Italy kept pushing to even up the score.
The Italians got their chance at the 63 minute mark when Daniele De Rossi scored off a corner from a teammate.
Both teams kept their composer for the remainder of the match and they had to settle for a draw.
There were two other matches that were played before this match. Japan defeated Cameroon 1-0 and Netherlands defeated Denmark 2-0.
Current standings for Group E: Japan and Netherlands with three points each and Cameroon and Denmark with no points.
Next matches for Group E: Japan vs. Netherlands at 4:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN and Cameroon vs. Denmark at 11:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN.
The match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Paraguay had no fear against the older and slower Italy team as the two teams had a heated battle for the first 25 minutes of the match.
Paraguay scored first at the 39 minute mark when Antolin Alcaraz connected with a header while being bodied up by two Italian defenders in the air.
The team celebrated by dancing in a big circle, but got back into the match as they tried to defend the one goal lead.
The Italians tried to get back into the match, but kept being called offside.
The second half continued to be like the first half, but Italy kept pushing to even up the score.
The Italians got their chance at the 63 minute mark when Daniele De Rossi scored off a corner from a teammate.
Both teams kept their composer for the remainder of the match and they had to settle for a draw.
There were two other matches that were played before this match. Japan defeated Cameroon 1-0 and Netherlands defeated Denmark 2-0.
Current standings for Group E: Japan and Netherlands with three points each and Cameroon and Denmark with no points.
Next matches for Group E: Japan vs. Netherlands at 4:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN and Cameroon vs. Denmark at 11:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Lakers are down but not out
In the shadow of the the FIFA World Cup, the NBA Finals are heating up as the series is heading back to Los Angeles.
The series has been a pattern as one team would win than the other team would win the following game and etc.
But now that pattern has been stopped as the Boston Celtics are the first team to win back to back games in the series.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now facing elimination for the first time in the postseason since the 2008 NBA Finals.
The Lakers are down 3-2 in the series but they are not discourage, because they have the final two games at home.
Now this series has been unpredictable with all the big performances by random players from both teams.
In Game 2 it was Rajon Rondo, Game 3 it was Derek Fisher, Game 4 it was Glen Davis and Nate Robinson and Game 5 it was Paul Pierce.
No game has been won by the big names like Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett.
But the prediction by NBA Experts like Jalen Rose are on target.
He and many other experts predicted the Lakers to win the title in seven games. They also said each team would win one game on the other team's floor.
Phil Jackson is 47-0 when winning Game 1 of a seven game series.
The Lakers won Game 1.
The winner of Game 3 after a series is tied at 1-1 in a 2-3-2 format goes on to win the title 100 percent.
The Lakers won Game 3.
It does not look like the Lakers are favorites to win at this moment, but they have all the odds with them to come back and win the title.
I predicted the Lakers in six, but I am confident they are going to win the final two games at Staples Center.
I am never going to lose hope.
The series has been a pattern as one team would win than the other team would win the following game and etc.
But now that pattern has been stopped as the Boston Celtics are the first team to win back to back games in the series.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now facing elimination for the first time in the postseason since the 2008 NBA Finals.
The Lakers are down 3-2 in the series but they are not discourage, because they have the final two games at home.
Now this series has been unpredictable with all the big performances by random players from both teams.
In Game 2 it was Rajon Rondo, Game 3 it was Derek Fisher, Game 4 it was Glen Davis and Nate Robinson and Game 5 it was Paul Pierce.
No game has been won by the big names like Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett.
But the prediction by NBA Experts like Jalen Rose are on target.
He and many other experts predicted the Lakers to win the title in seven games. They also said each team would win one game on the other team's floor.
Phil Jackson is 47-0 when winning Game 1 of a seven game series.
The Lakers won Game 1.
The winner of Game 3 after a series is tied at 1-1 in a 2-3-2 format goes on to win the title 100 percent.
The Lakers won Game 3.
It does not look like the Lakers are favorites to win at this moment, but they have all the odds with them to come back and win the title.
I predicted the Lakers in six, but I am confident they are going to win the final two games at Staples Center.
I am never going to lose hope.
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