Monday, wherein unkind Selene casts her cold light over the umourned defeated. Today the Yanks face a monster team in the Czech Republic, ranked [and rightly so] second only to Brasil in the world. The men of Prague are led by a striker of AI proportions, Jan Koller, who approaches the game in the spirit of the skinhead trolling through the St.Pauli district. Their midfield general, Pavel Nedvev, unlike Beckham, is truly a great player, one without discernible weakness but being of mortal woman born. Has a wicked shot, very generous and clever with his passing, and highly intelligent in defensive situations. Their goalkeeper, Cech, is phenomenal for one relatively young. Potentially the best man in the nets the game has ever seen. The rest of the squad range from merely highly competent top flight professionals to challengers for world class status. In other words, this is a fearsome team. And, oh yes, thanks to the location of this world cup the stands will be dominated by hirsute pilsner swilling baying fanaticos [and that is just their women :( ]. The Yanks are led by an old seattle keeper addicted to chewing gum, a california kid who never cottoned to Teutonic ways, and a manager who had to make a tough decision in careers between coaching soccer or lacrosse teams....So the Yanks are doomed, eh? Well, every Euro worth his little bag of Roman salt thinks so, and tens of millions of smirks are being practiced before gilded mirrors, even as I write, the better to accompany the withering scorn [long and barely pent] ready to be cast at whatever unsuspecting Yankee Doodle happens to stumble by postmatch.
On the other hand, this Yankee team, despite its unprepossessing appearance, is actually good. And, as no Euro will disagree with, they "are too stupid to know they have no hope" [a quote from Keller]. The fools shall go where the angels fear to tread and shall snatch Victory from the Jaw of the Czech Beast. Prediction: 2-1 USA.
As for Ghana vs. Italy, the Azzurri will stumble to boringly inglorious victory over an agressive but unprepared african side. Italy 1- Ghana 0.
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Interesting pre-game analysis, AA. For someone who has not followed the game recently (meaning, not in the last decade or so), this is welcome. Don't recall the Czechs ever being so good -- except of course at kockey. I still remember as in a fog a game they played (and won!) against the USSR not long after the 1968 invasion -- man, was that sweet revenge (of sorts)! My memory may be playing trick, though -- anyone recall such a game?
I don't recall the game [icehockey was not much in Portugal's thoughts in those days], but I do recall having heard of such. Didn't something similar happen with Hungary's football team shortly after the 1950s uprising?
Oh, I forgot the Australia/Japan match. The Japanese are led by a very confident Brazilian coach, Zico, and he even has a naturalized Brazilian on the squad. They are quite good, perhaps the best in Asia currently, and both Nakata and Nakamura have had success in top European leagues. Unsurprisingly, very much cohesive in team play but generally lacking individual flair. Australia are much underappreciated, in my opinion. They are strong, athletic [as Aussies sportsmen tend to be!], and also talented in key positions. Fine strikers and midfield, especially Kewell and Viduka. Good keeper and strong defense. Prediction: Australia 3- Japan 1
Victory from the Jaw of the Czech Beast. Prediction: 2-1 USA.
Hmmm... Let's see how you're gonna spin this one, NostrAAdamus!
Prediction: Australia 3- Japan 1
Whoa!! Impressive crystal ball here.
I can't, nor would want to , spin it AI. The prediction was more with my heart than calculated, but I did think that, even if they lost, the Yanks would play with spirit and interest and at least reasonably well. But they played like Scheit. More accurately, they did NOT play like Scheit, for at least Scheit can have a flowing style....they played like fearful constipated child molesters who have just arrived in Sing-Sing and for the first time hear the baying for their blood. I'm damn disappointed. As for the Czechs, smart and consistent play that took full advantage of the few opportunities. Simply, the better team.
I am rather proud of that Australia-Japan score, although it came only at the end. Also, Italy-Ghana was reasonably on.
But, damn, AI, I am disheartened that the Yanks seemed to never really try today.
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