Month: July 2010

Telenovela Argentina

Just when it seemed that his reign had finally gotten some traction, after a mostly successful World Cup and a fairly positive demeanor throughout, the Argentine Futbol Federation (AFA) declined Diego Maradona’s conditions for a new deal and effectively started…

Summer Swings

Believe it: the 2010-2011 European season is right around the corner with the Premiership set to kick off on August 14, while domestic competitions have already begun in a number of countries. With the World Cup taking up half of…

Monsieur Henry Arrives in America

Former Arsenal and France captain Thierry Henry made his debut in the United States last night in front of 20,000 animated New York Red Bulls fans hopeful that his arrival will finally mark the beginning of a winning era for…

World Cup Post Scriptum

The first ever World Cup to be hosted by an African nation is now for the history books. It was a tournament that exceeded expectations in terms of organization and presented some unfamiliar nuances on and off the field, yet…

Espana Campeon del Mundo

A match between great contenders with the ability and firepower to put on a display of exciting, attacking football featured exceptional talents on both sides of the pitch and carried the promise of a truly spectacular, memorable World Cup final.…

Uruguay Errors Gift Germany

Three defensive lapses, a lack of concentration on the finishing side and finally the crossbar cost Uruguay third place and a great ending to their excellent World Cup run. Germany ended the tournament on the same podium as four years…

Dutch Masters v Spanish Maestros

The world’s two best teams reached the final of the World Cup with performances worthy of champions. Spain and Holland will meet on Sunday in the climactic point of the tournament, marking the best of all possible finals for fans…

Spain’s Looming Moment of Truth

After escaping unscathed from a nearly disastrous group stage predicament and surviving two difficult encounters against Portugal and Paraguay, Spain has reached the semifinal stage of the World Cup without actually shining, while certainly benefiting from some good recent fortune.…

Argentina Rolled Over by Germany

It is Argentina’s turn to suffer after being knocked around, down and out by an irrepressible German team that controlled the match almost from start to finish and left Maradona’s team shell-shocked, tearful and out of the World Cup at…

African Hopes Extinguished

After treating spectators to 119 minutes of a tight, tense, fairly even cat-n-mouse game, drama of the highest caliber engulfed the Ghana – Uruguay quarterfinal with an unprecedented sequence that will be long remembered by both nations and African fans…

Holland Overcomes Dunga’s Brazil

“I would not pay one guilder to see this Brazil play.” Those were the words of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, one of the main protagonists and developers of total football so sorely missed from this World Cup, prior to yesterday’s…

Villa Delivers Again for Spain, as Cristiano Ronaldo Drops His Swagger

Spain knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal without putting together a memorable performance, but controlling most of the possession and relying on its sensational savior to come through once again. David Villa has been invaluable for Spain reaching the quarterfinal…