Boston-Homer

The World Cup! It's Here!

The World Cup starts soon, and I cannot wait. This is my favorite tournament/sporting event in the world. The Ryder Cup is a close second, but the fact that it is only every four years makes it fantastic.

Here are some things to watch...in groups of threes...

Things that will not step on the field and still have a massive effect on the tournament...

1) Maradona
This guy is absolutely crazy. Most people know Maradona as the soccer star of the 1980's, leading Argentina with his Hand of God play to a World Cup Championship in 1986. Since then he has been in trouble for tax evasion, had a heart attack, and has also battled a cocaine addiction. This would be the equivalent of Darryl Strawberry and Corey Feldman teaming up to manage the New York Mets. He is blessed with the best player in the world in Lionel Messi. The key is will Maradona utilize Messi the right way. Messi typically plays better for his club team Baralona because his talents fit their system better. This could be the biggest story of the World Cup. Will Messi finally play well for Argentina...


This man is in charge of Argentina...Yikes...


2) The English Media
This group of "people" have already deemed the US irrelevent, and they have set themselves up, as usual, for major disappointment. England has won one World Cup, and that was in 1966. This might be the most talented English team ever. However, the media pressure, even once they escape to South Africa will be suffocating. One slip and the fatalistic media wil jump down their throat and create more pressure for this English team.

3) The Climate
It may be summer in the US. But in South Africa it is winter, and this means it will open up play. The heat will not slow the play, teams that play fast paced soccer might go deeper. A team like Italy that plays a "rope-a-dope" type system where they sit back and let teams run at them might be surprised. Scores could be higher and faster paced, making for a very exciting World Cup...

Three teams to watch that you might not otherwise...

1)Slovenia
This team could sneak up and surprise a lot of people. They are tough and qualified by beating Russia in a two game playoff. This team could get through Group C, which also has the US and England.

2) Chile
The Chile soccer team is in a group with the Swiss, Spain, and Honduras. This bodes well for them. Their Argentinian manager has sparked a winning attitude, and I look for them to get through to the second round after the group stage.

3) Greece
A potentially great story with the disaster that is going on in the Greek economy right now. Greece won the 2004 European Championship, a complete shock. They play tough soccer and are in a group with Argentina, South Korea, and Nigeria.



The Greeks. A potentially very cool story...


Bonus Team:
Serbia
This team plays awesome defense. Vidic in the back is a tested player with Manchester United. There are strong and methodical.

Three unknown players you should make sure you watch...

1) Miroslav Klose
This guy has been outstanding in the last two World Cups. Scoring five goals in each tournament. He is great in the air and simply has a nose for the net. The Germans are young, and his experience will be very important.




Klose has his eyes on Ronaldo's WC scoring record...


2) Yoann Gourcuff
A young star in the making. This guy was terrible against Ireland in the playoff for the last World Cup place (yes I am still bitter...). However, his talent is outstanding. The 23 year old will play a big part if France pushes past the group stage.

3) Yaya Toure
As soon as Didier Drogba's arm broke, a nation's eyes turned to this man. An outstanding midfielder who plays for Barcalona, his talent will have to drive the Ivory Coast to the heights the country is hoping for. This may be the most talented African team to ever go to a World Cup.

Three teams that could win it.

1) Brazil
This team is hated by their country, well by a lot of their country. They do not play "the beautiful game." They play tough minded defense and then counter-attack. Their manager was the defensive midfielder of the 1994 team that had a similar relationship with the country. They were not popular but they won, beating Italy after Roberto Baggio missed his penalty kick.

2) Spain
For me, I am not crazy but the Spanish. They play "the beautiful game." Moving the ball around the field on the groud, not kicking and chasing it. They are the defending European Champions from 2008. This team is reknowned for choking on the national stage, most recently against the US last summer in the Confederations Cup. It will take a great performance to pull of the victory.


The most talented team. Will they be holding another trophy up on July 11?

3) England
This team is loaded. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney are all outstanding players. Missing Rio Ferdinand could be a huge loss, and Ledley King will have to step in and have a great tournament. England always manages to disappoint. But this team may change that thought.

Three interesting facts I learned this month about the World Cup...

1) Only one team has ever won a World Cup outside of their own Hemisphere (North or South). That team is Brazil, who has won in Sweden in 1958 and in the USA in 1994. People believe this is because of the travel and the grass. Yes the grass. The grass in the Southern Hemisphere is usually thicker and longer. Slowing the game down. The grass in the Northern Hemisphere is usually shorter and thinner, lending itself to a fast game. The grass in South Africa is being grown and treated like Northern Hemisphere.

2) 11 of the last 13 World Cup Finals have had either Germany of Brazil in them. Pretty amazing...

Enjoy the games and enjoy the atmosphere. Find a good bar to watch a few games. And if you are in Boston, go to the North End for one Italian game...