11/07/10 00:14
Spanish Survive their Inquisition to do the World Cup and Euro Double!
So here we are, 30 days after South Africa and Mexico kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2010, it all distilled down to this one last game, The Final. This match was contested by Euro 2008 winners, Spain against The Netherlands, WC runners-up in 74 and 78. Never before had either nation had their name on the trophy but both teams had showed their tenacity, skill and luck to reach this final hurdle. Surely we were in for a treat, a goal fest, dramatic open end-to-end total football to give Nelson Mandela and the fans a right royal sporting spectacle? Er not quite... Spain started with great vigour and enthusiasm and the Dutch tried their best to counteract their European rivals and try and hit them on the break. Early on Ramos was denied a headed opportunity by the diving Mr Stekelenberg and it certainly looked as if the Spaniards were in command. Soon after the Dutch number 8, De Jong dived in Bruce Lee style on Alonso and put his boot right into his chest, how he stayed on the field nobody will ever know but suddenly the gloves were off! The yellow cards started to appear from referee Howard Webb's pocket (who said England wouldn't make it to the final?) Chances appeared at either end but the first half finished nil nil.
Come the second session and Robben latched on to a through ball and found himself onside one on one with keeper Casillas. As Arjen timed his run, his shot was saved by the faintest of touches off the Spanish keeper's foot. Soon after Sergio Ramos once again had a free header that he put over the bar, and once again Robben skinned Puyol to be heading goalward but that man Casillas thwarted him again. Another shed load of yellow cards were awarded and time was running out, in fact it did run out but it was still goalless. Extra time ensued and Fabregas the sub made a break for it but Stekelenberg stopped his shot much like his Spanish counterpart. Jesus Navas had a deflection that appeared to go in but it was just the side netting. As the clock ticked down towards what was looking like penalties, the second half of extra time was upon us and time for a hero. Well that man was Andres Iniesta, the Spanish number 6 who picked up on a Torres knock down (about the only good thing Torres has done all tournament) and he was patient enough to wait for the ball to drop before he powered it past the diving Mr Stekelenberg. The stadium erupted as Iniesta peeled off his shirt and ran to the corner flag where he was mobbed by his colleagues in jubilation. Surely there wasn't enough time for an equaliser and despite their efforts, Holland just came up short for the third time in the biggest football match on the planet. Webb blew the whistle, the Iberians dropped to their knees, captain Casillas shed tears of joy for they had beaten the Cloggies one nothing and were the World Champions. The Spaniards fifth 1-0 result in a row and are now the reigning Euro and World Cup holders! A quick change of kit into the traditional red jerseys for Spain, although this time with a little star sewn on to signify their achievement and the winners medals were worn with Spanish pride.
Not quite the festival of goals we had perhaps hoped for but enough drama and excitement to keep us all guessing right till the end. Maybe it should have gone to penalties, but then Paul the octopus hadn't predicted that so that was never going to happen. Well done Paul, you're like a mini 8-legged Buddha covered in suction cups!
And so to the final Footcall league...
Kevin Appleton and his team Tonbridge Street Elite managed to hold on to the very end. From claiming top spot after the Group Stages he made inspired choices for the Knockouts to keep him up there to eventually win by a clear 8 points; very impressive! Kev managed to predict both finalists and the winner but there was a faint chance of a Footcall upset if Holland had won and if Paul "Albion City Rovers" Firmston had selected them to win but a check on his prediction sheet revealed that he had chosen Argentina to lift the trophy, so there never any doubt that Kevin wouldn't be crowned champion.
Showing just how valuable it was to pick the winning team, was demonstrated by a number of formidable performances from Nick Stacey 3rd, Keith Firmston (4th), Martin Arscott (5th), Chris Amos (6th), James Vallender (7th on Accurate Scores), Rob Pearson (8th) and Lee Baker (10th), sadly Jon Hill who was in second after the Groups finished 9th but I will give him the award for most excited Footcaller 2010 as he really enjoyed taking part. Andy Brunt just missed out on the top by nature of Group Stages Accurate Scores, maybe 2012 will be his year?
Other players picking up 4 points today include Martin Acott, Jake Martin, Kate Blake (up onto the first page picking up a massive 14 points in the second stage and finally the only player on page two to guess Spain to win was Julia "Beautiful Bramble" Virco. Well done guys.
Finally we should pay tribute to the battle at the foot of the table. After the Groups, this appeared to be a three horse race between Mark Horner, Simon Jenner and Virginia Jenner. Well Super Syd Simon made inspired selections in choosing losers, not winners, for the Knockouts to force himself to the bottom of the Footcall pack. He only scored one solitary point (Paraguay let him down) and he claims the Footcall booby prize and gets himself a miniature England football boot full of cheap chocolate footballs which, I hasten to add, also doubles as a money box! To mark the lowest ranking place in the Footcall race this is now known as the Vuvuzela Award and we now have an official list of Vuvuzela Award Winners for last placed Footcallers with Simon Jenner adding his name to this illustrious list following on from Joanna Mackenzie 2008, Mark Horner 2006, Martin Lunn 2004, Sarah Roe 2002 and Christine Jenner in 2000.
So it's all over, 64 games played, 145 goals scored (plus one more from Frank Lampard), lots of disappointment from certain teams and individuals but lots of dramatic excitement to boot. What stood out for me though was the wonderful atmosphere generated by the host nation; a true credit to the beautiful game, let's hope in 2014 Brazil can lay on a spectacle to rival that of the South African event. It just leaves me to pack up the Footcall bandwagon for another two years before it rumbles into town again for Euro 2012 in Poland, maybe I'll see you all again for another lap round the Footcall block?
Until then... Adiós!
Dj
08/07/10 03:17
Q: What do you call a German octopus that correctly predicts it's team will lose?
A: Calamari.
Tonight saw the second semi final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and battling it out for a place in the final were Germany and pre-tournament favourites, Spain. The current Euro holders did just enough to see off Paraguay in the Quarters and were going to have to raise their game whilst those canny Germans appeared to be getting stronger and stronger as they brushed Argentina aside in the last round. Well one thing you can say about these teams is they understand the power of possession (far more than some teams I could mention) and from the kick off the Spanish appeared to intent on passing their opponents to death. Germany were happy to soak up this early pressure with a view they'll hit them on the break as they have done so effectively before. The team in red certainly looked more purposeful than they have done so far and Neuer had to be on guard as Villa, Pedro and Alonso attempted to unpick the formidable white defence. I'm not sure whether Joachim Loew's tactics were quite right having his team defend so deep, it just seemed to inviting pressure and after a goalless first half the second session continued much the same way.
Germany weren't without their chances as Klose tried to add to his overall goal tally. Ozil was brought down in the box and appealed for a pen but nothing was awarded. David Villa went agonisingly close, diving a la Gazza '96, as he tried latch on to an Iniesta cross. What the game needed was an early goal and we got one except it was in the 73rd! But what a great goal it was, a power header from the old Spanish stalwart, Carles Puyol who at certain angles, looks uncannily similar to ex Twisted Sister frontman, Dee Snider (for all you ageing rockers out there).
Spain took the lead and the game sprung to life. Germany pushed for the equaliser and maybe they could get it as del Bosque subbed their talisman Villa and brought on the hapless Torres. I think the teams lack of confidence in their frontman was highlighted when Pedro went tearing into the German box with Fernando screaming for it to be passed square for him to take a pop but Pedro thought better of it and attempted to go it alone and eventually tripping over his own bootlaces much like Torres has done in earlier matches.
Well the final whistle blew and once again the scoresheet read Spain: 1 Others: 0 that's the fourth one nil in a row! Who cares, a win is a win and the Spaniards were ecstatic as they celebrated their first ever World Cup Final.
And so to the Footcall league...Yet more points for the man in red (on the league table) Kevin. He managed to predict Spain to play Holland in the final and he's been very impressive in the Groups and continued his good form through the KOs. However he can't sit back a light up that big Cuban just yet because there could be twist in the tail. The man who's been hanging around the shadows of the top spot, Mr Paul Firmston, has also predicted Holland to be in the final and by my reckoning if he does collect the 4 points for the winner and Kevin doesn't, then Paul's Group Stages correct answers could just see him over the line on countback! I genuinely have not looked at anyone's KO predictions this year and I'm just waiting like we all are to see how it unfolds.
Further down the table the valuable 3 points for a Spain win have seen a bit of a shuffle but I was surprised to see how few people predicted them to get to the final. Both Nick Stacey and Keith Firmston have moved well up top, Mark Brown, Chris Amos, James Vallender, Rob Pearson even Jamie Marshall and Ian Pope have all done well today. Lee Baker, Andy Reg Brunt, Martin Acott and Paul Silk-Sleafer have all claimed three sweet little points to move them up page one of the league along with George Relf, David Ginger and Jake Martin. Further down only Julia Virco and Kate Blake stand alone as points scorers on page two.
So that concludes the voting from the East Peckham judges only one game remains, THE FINAL... Footcall is too posh to worry about the pointless third place playoff! So we will have a new winner on the trophy come Sunday evening, the question is, will it be Viva Espana or Hup Holland Hup, more importantly will it be Appleton or Firmston?
Dj
07/07/10 02:04
The Netherlands turn back the clock!
Tonight saw the first of the semi finals for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and this first showdown was between Holland and Uruguay who some felt (me for one) that they were lucky to have even got this far after they dismissed Ghana in a rather unorthodox fashion. The Dutch were the hotly tipped favourites to advance through this match but you could never count out the resolute nature of Diego Forlan and the Uruguayans even if Luis Suarez was having to sit this one out.
After a steady start, suddenly the match was ignited in explosive style in the 18th minute when Gionvanni Van Bronckhorst melted a left peg firebomb of a piledriver in the top right corner that even the mighty Stevie Staunton would have tipped his hat to! I can just here the Alan Partridge commentary over that one. The keeper got a fingertip to it but there was so much power on it barely diverted the direction as the Jabulani flew in excess of 60mph (96.54km for all you Dutch fans), proving to the England team there is nothing wrong with the ball after all.
Whilst this lead might have collapsed a weaker team, Uruguay stayed solid and 23 minutes later that man Forlan popped up with a left footer of his own as he swerved the ball away from the diving Mr Stekelenberg to even the score sheet 1-1, I really don't remember him being that good at Manchester Utd. The Man from Del-Monte-video he say yes - game on! Half time rolled in with honours even and all to play for.
The second half started quite open with the team in pale blue testing the Dutch keeper once again but Wesley Sneijder, the hero of the Quarters for Holland, managed to sneak in a rather speculative shot that carried a faint whiff of offside from his colleague Robin Van Persie but between the sticks it went and the Cloggies were once again in the lead. They then started to rule the pitch and just three minutes later sealed the deal as Robben nutted in Holland's third. The South Americans pushed really hard to get back in the game and in the 92nd minute did manage another and they frantically carried the ball back to the centre circle to get the game underway again and try for an equaliser. The extra time really seemed to go on for an eternity but finally the whistle went and the Oranje army march on to the final for the third time. Can they go one better than the total football teams of '74 and '78? Come Sunday evening, we will know.
And so to the Footcall league...All top three players had Holland to win so no change there but with 7 points still to play for we will see if Paul or Martin can overtake Kevin. Other movers topside include Peter Mulvey, Nick Stacey and Keith Firmston now doing well in the money bracket. Tony Gardner, Me, David Blakeman and Mark Brown all picked up 3 points and Patrick "Why Did I Pick England to Win?" Ferguson once again gets another few points to add to his haul. Ric Robinson and Christine Jenner will be celebrating their points earned in honour of hero Johann Cruyff. Adam Billington, Lyn Rennie and look Where's the Salad Doris? James Ridley got it right as well to move him on to the first page of the league (crucially above Eddie). Dave "The KO Points Machine" Hope is now unbelievably also nearing the first page. Christopher Crouch and Paul Harrison bring up the rear of those that had a Dutch victory. Hopefully that covers all the winners today.
Spain v Germany tomorrow and I'm thinking this could be decisive in the world of Footcall.
See ya!
Dj
04/07/10 00:39
Whilst Germans send the favourites packing!
Today saw the final pair of Quarter Final matches and this afternoon we saw Germany take on Argentina in what, on paper, could be one of the best games in the tournament. Of course on paper, England should have beaten Germany so maybe we should tear up the pitches and play on paper! From a neutrals point of view we needed an early goal and that's what we were treated to as that man Mueller headed a free kick past the ramshackle Argentinian defence that had Alan Hansen apoplectic with rage. This early statement really put Maradona's men under pressure and despite scoring an offside goal, they looked quite shaken by the organisation of the Germans. It stayed 1-0 until half time then the Europeans, just as they did against us, put the hammer down. Miroslav Klose who's eyeing the golden boot added to their tally in the 67th as he latched onto a Podolski pass that cut the defence wide open, this was starting to look vaguely familiar. Just seven minutes later Friedrich scored his first ever goal for his country from all of 4 yards, 3-0. As the blue and white stripes pushed to get back in it gaps started to open up and with a minute to go, Klose once again put his name on the list as he volleyed a sweet cross straight past Romero for their fourth, it all looked so easy! The whistle went at four nothing, the Germans were through and Angela Merkel danced in aisles like she was at some sort of wedding. The tragic Argies went home empty handed once again but provided us with an abundance of entertainment on the field from the likes of Higuain and Messi but none more so than Diego's touchline antics.
So the winner of this match now will play the winner of Paraguay (my tip for the trophy) and the hotly tipped Spaniards. So let's review the first half... erm? where shall I start? OK that'll do, it was altogether unremarkable! Paraguay had a goal ruled out for being offside and that was it. I was dreading more of the same in the second half but at 57 minutes the blue touch paper was ignited! The big number 3 for Spain decided he'd show Cardozo his new judo move as he man handled him to the ground to award the Paraguayans a penalty. Cardozo, who scored the winning pen in the shootout with Japan, stepped up to take the honours again but this time round keeper Casillas saved it! Was this their chance gone? The ball was immediately back in play and went straight to other end as David Villa ran head strong into Paraguay's area where he was brought down and won the Spaniards a penalty! What drama! In the space of less than three minutes this game went from a sleepy Sunday afternoon with a hangover to a banging Friday night out with the lads! But there was more... Xabi Alonso stepped and belted the ball in the left corner and as they run off celebrating the referee decided to call them back for a retake because of encroachment in the area before the ball was struck. Madness really as this sort of thing happens on every penalty. OK so take two. Alonso opts for the other corner and this time the keeper, Villar guesses the right way and manages to save it. Paraguay survive the flurry as the players steamed into the box and even the appeal for what seemed to be a stonewall penalty.
Now it was end to end, the handcuffs were off and all 22 men were up for it. And on the 82nd minute the deadlock was broken as Spain attacked and Iniesta's run set up Pedrito who belted it against the post, then Villa connected with the rebound to hit the opposite post only to see the ball comically run along the goal line and hit the other post again and in the net! Unbelievable. This time the goal was legitimate and Spain were in full flight. They managed to hang to full time with the one goal lead and send their opponents home to South America.... 'citing!
And so to the Footcall league...Kevin and Paul both picked Spain to win and stay one and two but Jon moves above Martin Arscott into third. Very few people predicted Germany to win as Argentina were considered red hot favourites. Those that did include Baby Steven, I'm Feline Fine (who's had a wonderful day with two correct predictions) also Dougies Dreamers and Little Green Dynamos all had a German victory. Lot's of players predicted Spain to win including Hoof Hearted, Super Danny Rose, Same Old Same As!, Kevzoe, FC Billie Paulie, Phoenix United, Relfy's Rams, Capt Frost and KC's Claret & Blue Army all picking up a very welcome two points today. And so we move on to the semi finals on Tuesday where correct predictions are worth 3 points so let's see how things unfold.
Stay tuned.
Dj
03/07/10 00:50
Black Stars and Brazilian dreams comes to an end!
Today saw the start of the Quarter Finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and first up was Holland taking on number one seed, Brazil. This would be a big test for the team in tangerine and black and an early goal from Robinho didn't rock them too much, even though Brazil took their one goal lead into half time. One thing you can say about the Dutch is they do work hard with the likes of Kuyt, Van Bommel and Robben desperately trying to get their team back in the game but it was the number 10, Wesley Sneijder who was instrumental in turning things around. A sweetly struck free kick right into the heart of the defence caused more commotion than the thought of Kevin Appleton winning Footcall for the first time! The Brazilian keeper came to punch the ball away just as the big number 5 Felipe Melo thought he'd deal with it himself. I'm not sure what his intentions were but the faint touch he put on it with his head was just enough to see the ball whizz past the outstretched Julio Cesar and into his own net, 1-1. The Netherlands pushed on and just a quarter of an hour later a brilliant free kick was swung into Brazil's box and whilst the statuesque defence looked on, that man Sneijder again popped up to divert the ball goalwards with his head. Unbelievably Holland were in the lead and they managed to keep it that way until the final whistle. The players went mad, the stadium erupted and our official Footcall correspondent (the GLW) based in the Dutch town of Alkmaar, confirmed the wild celebratory mood for their home nation.
This evening's game saw Uruguay take on the only African nation left in, Ghana also known as the "Black Stars". A fairly open game made exciting by some haphazard defending and unorthodox technique. The first half was looking goalless until with almost the last kick before the whistle, Muntari decided to take a pot shot from about 35 yards. The ball flew over the head of one of his own players and the unsighted Muslera was wrong footed and couldn't stop the ball flying in the bottom right corner. After the break, Uruguay were determined to make amends and Atletico Madrid's main man stepped up to break the Ghanaians hearts just as he did to Fulham. He took one of the very few well struck free kicks of this tournament and put the ball in the net for the equaliser. As the game progressed a few chances occurred but always snuffed out as each team were reluctant to push too many men forward and it final bell went with the scores level. Into extra time and much of the same in fact there was a distinct air of penalties particularly from the South Americans. BUT.... on the 120th minute of the game Ghana were awarded a free kick with what must be considered their last chance to win it normal time. The ball was delivered beautifully into the middle of the box and then the comedy of errors ensued! The ball pinged about the six yard area like popcorn in a microwave. Ghana were frantically trying to get it over the line whilst their opponents trying to keep it out. Finally the ball did get past the keeper and was heading for the winner with absolute certainty and Suarez standing on his own goal line felt he had no other choice than to stick out has hand to prevent it from going in. For this he gave away a penalty, got himself a red card but he did stop the goal. So superstar striker Gyan stepped up for the penalty and promptly whacked it against the top of the bar and over! As he fell to his knees the final whistle went! Penalty shootout time again. Uruguay started well and Gyan took another one but this time he bravely stuck it in the roof of the net. A couple more decent pens scored before Uruguay missed one and Ghana missed two. This led Abreu to score the goal that would take them through and he did it with the most audacious chip of the keeper you're ever likely to see, even better than the Paraguay goal the other day! So Uruguay are through to the semis and the Black Stars are on their way home (via Nelson Mandela's house tomorrow apparently).
And so to the Footcall league...Kevin is still top as he had one correct score today and these predictions are worth 2 points but Paul Firmston and Martin Arscott move in closer to the top as they both picked up four points for two correct predictions. Sadly Pornista FC is heading the wrong way and Stephen Hills looks like he's running for them as well. Big time movers today include EastFife4Forfar5 with two right answers along with How'ard? Gerrard! (where did Nick come from?), Paul's brother Keith and his Warlords have done well and so did Ace men Dave & Adam Billington, even I got them both correct today! David Blakeman and Leigh Boardman showing some refound form and after all those one pointers Dave Hope can't stop scoring he also got two 2s today. As did Christopher Crouch who's also showing some signs of improvement. My player of the day will go to Mr Patrick Fergus Ferguson, head of the East Peckham GDG as he has rocketed up the table during the KO Stages and his patience has been rewarded with a lovely little "Desmond" today (2-2), well done sir!
Until the next games.
Dj