Blogcritics Comments on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 22:48:41 EDT

I'm 5'10. Back then? Dunno. But it was his hand and he was wearing a ring - which he technically shouldn't have been allowed to wear. I think that's what made the ordeal and pain worse. It's tough to get a neighborhood espresso in the States. Each time I visit my cousins or friends I'm forced into a Starbuck's. Starbuck's is fine for caps and latte's but they can't brew a straight espresso for shit. I was reading that the owner of Starbuck's was inspired by his visit to Italy and the baristas there. Yeah well, people who work at SB's are far from the professional baristas. How did I end up on that?

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 16:13:21 EDT

Aargh. I'm trying (not too hard) to picture the incident. Either you must be very tall, or the other guy must have been very short, or you can jump extraordinarily high. How else would he have (accidentally on purpose?) managed to land his elbow there? Impossible to find Kilkenny here. I dare say I could get hold of it in San Francisco or LA if I looked hard enough, but unfortunately I live in BFE... As I said, we do have a couple of 'Irish' pubs - one of which is actually fairly authentic as regards decor and atmosphere - but they do rely on the ignorance of the good ol' country boys hereabouts in not knowing the difference between Scotch and Irish whiskey. Nowhere else would you be able to proudly offer an extensive spirits list of two Irish and twenty-five Scotch whiskies, and get away with calling yourself an Irish pub.

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:10:36 EDT

HAHA! I've seen a few of those in my days. Something happened similar to me years ago. On the field of play me and opposing player took off at the same time. The momentum of his arms swung back right into my nuts. I collapsed clutching them and did not move. My team mates gave the usual "ooo" and then laughed. Whoever said jumping on your heels works should be punched in the nuts. It's hard to find Kilkenny in California? I presume that's where you are? Here in Montreal there is no shortage of Irish pubs. I wouldn't be surprised if we're second to Boston in North America.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 14:05:43 EDT

Chris: Yes, there can be only one football. At least until the ball goes out of play, when to prevent time-wasting a standby ball may be introduced instead. Sandro: Ooh, Kilkenny. If had to name one, my all-time favourite beer in the entire world. And harder to find over here than WMDs in Iraq! We even have a couple of 'Irish' pubs here in town that don't have it... I did find some a couple of years ago... in Buenos Aires, of all places. I discovered ahead of time that there was an Irish pub there called The Kilkenny, so I went there hoping - and they had it! That was a truly happy hour. Back on the subject of on-the-field injuries and magic sprays/sponges, I'm reminded of an anecdote - supposedly true - about an incident at an English Second or Third Division game back in the late 60s or early 70s. The story goes that a defender got in the way of a ferocious shot and took the ball directly in the nads. As the unfortunate fellow collapsed in a foetal ball of misery and the trainer sprinted on with his bucket, waves of empathetic pain reverberated around the stadium and a hush descended (football crowds in those days were 99.9% male). The trainer knelt beside the stricken player, dipped his sponge in the bucket and lifted the waistband of his patient's shorts. At that moment a voice rang out in the crowd, clear as a bell in the silence: "Don't wash 'em, mate - count 'em!"

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:59:05 EDT

Nah. I'm not much of a Molson fan either. Kilkenny or Stout are more up my alley. Coors light while I BBQ is perfect. Odd that a colonial Canadian (albeit of European extraction) loves soccer, eh? Hard for you Brits to circumnavigate this I know. There, there. Mind you, soccer is not my only interest. I'm just a sports junkie in general.

Comment by Christopher Rose on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:57:32 EDT

Doc, there can be no compromise. There can be only one football! Off with their heads!

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:37:43 EDT

Jet @ #23: Down, boy!!!

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:36:27 EDT

Chris, I was using the S-word because I was talking to a Canadian, albeit a Canadian who's a footie enthusiast. If you lived over here you'd know that sometimes you have to speak in the vernacular. They have their own curious version of American handball up there, as you probably know, which is pretty much the same game except that each side gets to sneak one extra player onto the pitch. Sometimes you just have to distinguish. Not that Alessandro's likely to be paying attention right now, anyway. Since today is Canada Day, he's probably several sheets to the wind with the help of a Mr Molson.

Comment by Christopher Rose on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 08:14:01 EDT

Yellow Card for you. Any more of that and you'll be off!

Comment by Jet in Columbus on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:31:00 EDT

...let's see how long it takes you to get that tune out of your head now? Pink Floyd's "the Trial" from The Wall..... :)

Comment by Jet in Columbus on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:25:48 EDT

Good morning, Worm your honor. The crown will plainly show The prisoner who now stands before you Was caught red-handed saying "soccer" saying "soccer" in an almost human nature; This will not do.

Comment by Jet in Columbus on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:18:33 EDT

S-word? You mean Soccer players say a lot of shit? soccer fooseball football they're all hunks.

Comment by Christopher Rose on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 06:14:42 EDT

Doc, just 'cos you're living over there doesn't give you special dispensation to use the S word, despite the recent shock success of Fresno State Bulldogs. ;-)

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:29:00 EDT

Ah, it's all for show, that stuff, anyway. Extensive scientific research has shown that professional soccer players are the only species who actually believe that a mild shove to the chest will invariably cause such excruciating agony to one's face that one will lose control of one's lower limbs and drop like a wet flour sack to the floor, convulsing uncontrollably. The only and instantaneous cure is aerosol spray of any variety - Ralgex, hairspray, Pam, underarm deodorant, Raid, WD40 - anything. Every footballer thanks his lucky stars that he was not playing prior to the late 1970s when this panacea was first developed. Before that time, players had to rely on the primitive water-soaked sponge, which instantly cured, at best, only 98% of mortal injuries received on the field of play.

Comment by Matthew T. Sussman on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:24:36 EDT

Newfoundland ... and Alberta. I could go for some Eastside Mario's right about now, actually. Aw, shucks. Happy Holidays to America's Hat.

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:13:52 EDT

Especially Argentineans! Or maybe he secretly likes it? Tum-tee-dum. Yeah but you gotta love that magic potion they spray. That shit must be potent since it apparently penetrates shin guards.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:03:22 EDT

I think Mr Sussman is mortally afraid of soccer. It's all that girly long hair fastened with headbands as favored by players of Latino extraction.

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:16:39 EDT

Just got wind that Juventus is after Senna. He's a perfect fit for the Juve philosophy in the midfield.

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:15:09 EDT

113? I thought it was just 102. C-Day. Thanks. I guess. Would it kill Suss to acknowledge this seeing he's been to friggen Newfoundland? Sniff.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:58:04 EDT

I was forgetting about young Owen. He is Canadian, of course. However, as I understand it, due to a strange combination of circumstances involving some multinational parentage, a blender and a malfunctioning abacus, he was actually eligible to play for any one of about 113 countries. For reasons best known only to himself, he chose England. I do hope Canada can emerge from the shadow of Uncle Sam's big stripey hat. And while we're on the subject, and since I've just ripped June off my desk calendar - happy Canada Day for tomorrow!

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:27:34 EDT

It's better than nothing and a start for Adu. Don't forget that those big three do get Champions League and UEFA spots. Playing at Benfica (one of Europe's great sides) beats the hell out of playing at, say, Fulham I would think. So he can only grow there. True story: In 1986, the captain of that Canadian team you mention was Bruce Wilson. He presented me with an MVP award during a tournament in Quebec City. Ah, so young and full of promise. 0 goals and five against losing to France, USSR and Hungary for Team Canada. BUT, they played fabulously well against France and Ian Bridges hit the cross bar early in the game. For me '82 and '86 remain my preferred WC's. Back then, Canadian soccer was ahead of the U.S. My team rarely lost to American teams. Then, it reversed itself when the U.S. got the 1994 WC. Couple that with the joke the CSA is and you have the decline of Canadian soccer - the descent wasn't all that long I know but the country felt it was ready to grow its soccer program. Alas, as I mentioned, the CSA is run by a bunch of incompetent and clueless lads - sort of like the English FA I hear ;<) Actually, Owen Hargreaves is Canada's greatest (most accomplished) player but in their infinite wisdom they felt he wasn't good enough and off he went to Bayern and later Man U. For me, he was England's best player in 2006. Dwayne de Rosario is probably Canada's best international ever. Clever, fast and skillful. A rare combo for Canadians. He's an awesome playoff player for the Houston Dynamo. About Toronto and Montreal, I'm not as optimistic. We have teams but no true development system. I fear we don't tap into and develop the great talent we have in North America in general I think. It's one thing to get a franchise. Quite another to build a soccer program. I hope it's not the NASL all over again. Man, I LOVED that league. You're right: right now, the USA is way, WAY ahead of Canada. That being said, this latest Canadian side is actually capable of qualifying for WC 2010. We haven't been able to say that for over 20 years. We'll see.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:53:33 EDT

Well, now that Freddy Adu has been signed by Benfica at least one of the squad will have the opportunity. Mind you, the Portuguese League is a perennial three-horse race between Benfica, Porto and Sporting - there's no strength in depth and Adu won't be tested sternly week-in, week-out. His team hasn't even qualified for next season's Champions' League. Aside from him - and two accomplished English Premier League goalies in Tim Howard and Brad Friedel - you're right. There's DaMarcus Beazley at Fulham and Eddie Lewis at Derby County - both teams 'fresh' from miserable Premier League campaigns (Fulham avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth and Derby finished with the worst record in League history), a couple of others dotted around the EPL, one or two in the German Bundesliga and a few in Belgium and the Scandinavian leagues. The Yanks are not exactly setting the world on fire. But US soccer is still light years ahead of Canada. I recall (dimly!) Canada's 1986 World Cup Finals appearance in Mexico, in which they made about as much impact as a gnat crashing into Half Dome. The last Canadian player of any note that I can remember was Paul Peschisolido (sp.?), who did a decent job for Millwall and Birmingham City a few years back. Hopefully, all that may change with the advent of Toronto FC and - hopefully - a new Montreal franchise. I watch and wait with interest.

Comment by Alessandro on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:12:16 EDT

Bingo, Doc about American soccer. I agree. For its part, Canadian soccer is evolving a little more these days but I think many North Americans need to spread their wings beyond going to play in the the lower levels of the EPL. Go kick around in Italy, Spain, Portugal etc. Learn a different approach. When the US/Canada play the likes of the British isles or other like-minded styles the blemishes are not as noticeable. It's when they play, for example, South American sides you see it. Look at the U.S. at the Gold Cup recently. Brutal. Mexico is a fantastic nation to look at. The league is filled with talented players and tactical formations and imagination. The MLS has a chance to improve as a result of playing Mexican sides in the continents version of the Champions League (Champions Cup). I guess time will tell if we can avoid an NASL situation here. So far, it seems this experiment has more money and support. Looks like my home city of Montreal will be joining the MLS soon. Montreal has a HUGE soccer community.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:44:28 EDT

The USA never seems to have been able to quite recapture the way they played as hosts in the '94 World Cup. At the moment they play like England - that is to say, solidly, but with tactical na�eveté and a lack of imagination. I'm amazed it's taken them as long as it has to call upon Adu as an established first-teamer. You need flair players like him to test your opponents - otherwise they will effortlessly read your every move. I also think they'd be wise to bite the bullet and hire another foreign coach for a bit - I remember fondly the way Milutinovic got them to play.

Comment by Douglas Mays on Euro 2008: Viva Espana

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:40:14 EDT

Spain played a very beautiful, attractive match. The control of the ball they had, smart, creative play was very nice to see. Sometime the Germans were completely caught offguard. The score could have been 4-0 if not for the German goalkeeper (and good defensive play in general-with a few lapses). Anyway, overall it was a good tournament with many surprises. The Russians sure gave the Netherlands a shock. When the USA learns to play attractive ball, the game will become more popular here. Sounders FC of the MLS 2009 may show so. best, DM