It is a very exciting thought that 10 players involved in the 1998 finals will have the chance to meet again for a second contest.
At that evening in Paris, France's line up contained Barthez, Thuram, and Zidane, who are starters now. Trezeguet, Henry and Vieira were not first-choices.
For Brazil, the ubiquitous Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo started, with Emerson and Dida on the bench.
France's game was and still is revolving around Zidane being deployed behind the main strikeforce. The difference is that now Henry plays alone upfront (though being assisted by the excellent Ribery) and not conjured with Argentina-born Trezeguet.
Brazil's game, on the other hand, included two specialist sitting midfielders, two offensive midfielders (a passer in Leonardo and a carrier in Rivaldo), a fixed striker (Ronaldo) and another in a supporting role (Bebeto). In a sense, it stays the same, however with improved midfield players and no capabilty of either striker to play facing the goal instead of facing the play. Maybe if Robinho starts he'll resemble Bebeto's role in a better way.
But - before I miss the point - let's all anticipate a great match with a lot of tension and rivalry. Frenchmen, trust me, I think we want to beat you more badly than the Argentinians. And that is REALLY bad for you guys. 98 did not heal yet. Argentina 90 was healed already with Copa America, Confederations Cup and many other instances. But 98 was not.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
You know what, we do like Ronaldo
I don't have children, but as expected I have parents, and as a child I used to think that the last thing I ever wanted to happen in my life was if my parents were disappointed in me. Like, if they ever looked at me and thought, "Jesus, he could've been so much more". I guess I wouldn't like to feel like that towards my future children either (but don't let them read this, I don't wanna be overbearing).
Why am I saying this? Well, it is a bit of how we Brazilians feel about Ronaldo. It's not that we don't like him; it's just that we know he is capable of doing a lot. He's raised his own bar so high we expect him to reach it again every time.
He is definitely not as fast as in 1998, but he is a hell of a better player. His vision and reading of the game improved by quantum leaps; he holds the ball in front of the area for long enough to distribute it the best way, or to time his shot until it cannot be missed. Adriano's goal against Australia and his own second goal today stand to prove.
As much as his namesake Ronaldinho dictates the game in midfield, Ronaldo is the valve in attack, the key decision maker that defines who will deliver the mercy shot at the keeper. He has become the Riquelme of the centre-forwards - a master of technique, guile and directness instead of the pacy virtuoso of the late 90's.
And Ghana without Michael Essien will be a great opportunity to keep showing that. Unless the coach resumes to the stupid formation that puts him and Adriano in the very same position.
---------
In 2002 Brazil played the third game with some reserves, having already qualified. We played in white shorts, and scored four goals; two of them by Ronaldo and one by the reserve left-back.
Same in 2006.
---------
I do like Australia. Maybe a Liverpool fan bias for Kewell, but I also think Brett Emerton is one of the best midfielders in this Cup (at least one of the most influential for his team) and Viduka is also looking very sharp. But Italy might prove a bit too much, especially without Emerton.
And why didn't Schwarzer play today for Christ's sake?
Anyway, I had bet before the Cup on Australia and Ecuador reaching the Last 16.
---------
I cannot start my day properly without reading World Cup Blogs at the Guardian.
Why am I saying this? Well, it is a bit of how we Brazilians feel about Ronaldo. It's not that we don't like him; it's just that we know he is capable of doing a lot. He's raised his own bar so high we expect him to reach it again every time.
He is definitely not as fast as in 1998, but he is a hell of a better player. His vision and reading of the game improved by quantum leaps; he holds the ball in front of the area for long enough to distribute it the best way, or to time his shot until it cannot be missed. Adriano's goal against Australia and his own second goal today stand to prove.
As much as his namesake Ronaldinho dictates the game in midfield, Ronaldo is the valve in attack, the key decision maker that defines who will deliver the mercy shot at the keeper. He has become the Riquelme of the centre-forwards - a master of technique, guile and directness instead of the pacy virtuoso of the late 90's.
And Ghana without Michael Essien will be a great opportunity to keep showing that. Unless the coach resumes to the stupid formation that puts him and Adriano in the very same position.
---------
In 2002 Brazil played the third game with some reserves, having already qualified. We played in white shorts, and scored four goals; two of them by Ronaldo and one by the reserve left-back.
Same in 2006.
---------
I do like Australia. Maybe a Liverpool fan bias for Kewell, but I also think Brett Emerton is one of the best midfielders in this Cup (at least one of the most influential for his team) and Viduka is also looking very sharp. But Italy might prove a bit too much, especially without Emerton.
And why didn't Schwarzer play today for Christ's sake?
Anyway, I had bet before the Cup on Australia and Ecuador reaching the Last 16.
---------
I cannot start my day properly without reading World Cup Blogs at the Guardian.
Monday, June 19, 2006
My second round thoughts
My best and worse for the second round of World Cup matches.
Top three:
1. Maxim Kalinichenko
Who? Obviously it is the obscure reserve Ukrainian midfielder who happens to be a lookalike from LOST's Sawyer, unknown to the planet until he single-handedly destroyed Saudi Arabia (ok, not much of a strong opponent, I have to admit) eclipsing no less than Andriy Shevchenko. Bet we'll be seeing more of him in the next Champions League. And maybe Ukraine meets Brazil in quarter-finals, who knows....
2. Robinho
I wouldn't go so far to say he's better than Ronaldo already. And Ronnie surely deserves a lot of credit for his performance against Australia, when his ability more than compensated the enlarged waistline. BUT there is no doubt the team gets far more dangerous with Robinho. He should've scored once or twice against Australia - in the second goal, he hit the post - and we all remember what happened a year ago when he started alongside Adriano in the Confederations Cup. Well, some remember better than others. Like the Argentines.
3. José Pekerman
He is not the biggest gambler of the tournament because Marco Van Basten is there. But it is undeniable that betting on the questioned Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Mascherano, Maxi Rodríguez and Saviola (against the more estabilished likes of, say, Lux, Zanetti, Verón, Kily González and Diego Milito) is paying off enormously. By far the most consistent, threatening and entertaining football being played in Germany is Argentine. Tanta gloria, tanto fútbol, desplegado por el mundo....
Worst three:
1. France
Uncroyable. I have to say that the only reason I endured watching 90 minutes of Korea 1-1 France was because I watched it at an airport lounge, with my flight 2 hours late, the TV was in front of me and I was too tired to move but too tense to sleep. Wish I had a magazine. France are dismal, dull, disorganized, uninterested, desolé and so forth. They started promisingly with one or two forays from Sagnol and a couple of runs infield by Malouda, plus Henry's goal, but that was it. A pity for Zidane, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a team without him draw with Togo and get back home - deservedly.
2. Drawing and seeding system
Unbelievable that the Ivory Coast is out and that either Ghana or the Czechs will be out, while either Korea, Switzerland or France will be in the Last 16. Blame the inexplicable Fifa team rankings and the seeding system. Maybe blame Pelé.
3. Sven-Goran Eriksson
What to say. Where is the holding midfielder? Why was Rooney rushed in? How come Downing and Lennon get in the field and do not receive balls? Why did you call up Walcott if you'd not play him for Christ's sake? Luckily for him they'll play Ecuador in last 16 before the winner of Portugal v Holland in quarterfinals, who'd be the first REAL opponents since the beginning of qualifying.
Top three:
1. Maxim Kalinichenko
Who? Obviously it is the obscure reserve Ukrainian midfielder who happens to be a lookalike from LOST's Sawyer, unknown to the planet until he single-handedly destroyed Saudi Arabia (ok, not much of a strong opponent, I have to admit) eclipsing no less than Andriy Shevchenko. Bet we'll be seeing more of him in the next Champions League. And maybe Ukraine meets Brazil in quarter-finals, who knows....
2. Robinho
I wouldn't go so far to say he's better than Ronaldo already. And Ronnie surely deserves a lot of credit for his performance against Australia, when his ability more than compensated the enlarged waistline. BUT there is no doubt the team gets far more dangerous with Robinho. He should've scored once or twice against Australia - in the second goal, he hit the post - and we all remember what happened a year ago when he started alongside Adriano in the Confederations Cup. Well, some remember better than others. Like the Argentines.
3. José Pekerman
He is not the biggest gambler of the tournament because Marco Van Basten is there. But it is undeniable that betting on the questioned Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Mascherano, Maxi Rodríguez and Saviola (against the more estabilished likes of, say, Lux, Zanetti, Verón, Kily González and Diego Milito) is paying off enormously. By far the most consistent, threatening and entertaining football being played in Germany is Argentine. Tanta gloria, tanto fútbol, desplegado por el mundo....
Worst three:
1. France
Uncroyable. I have to say that the only reason I endured watching 90 minutes of Korea 1-1 France was because I watched it at an airport lounge, with my flight 2 hours late, the TV was in front of me and I was too tired to move but too tense to sleep. Wish I had a magazine. France are dismal, dull, disorganized, uninterested, desolé and so forth. They started promisingly with one or two forays from Sagnol and a couple of runs infield by Malouda, plus Henry's goal, but that was it. A pity for Zidane, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a team without him draw with Togo and get back home - deservedly.
2. Drawing and seeding system
Unbelievable that the Ivory Coast is out and that either Ghana or the Czechs will be out, while either Korea, Switzerland or France will be in the Last 16. Blame the inexplicable Fifa team rankings and the seeding system. Maybe blame Pelé.
3. Sven-Goran Eriksson
What to say. Where is the holding midfielder? Why was Rooney rushed in? How come Downing and Lennon get in the field and do not receive balls? Why did you call up Walcott if you'd not play him for Christ's sake? Luckily for him they'll play Ecuador in last 16 before the winner of Portugal v Holland in quarterfinals, who'd be the first REAL opponents since the beginning of qualifying.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Que Copa hein!
Excellent action so far. I'm thrilled by the quality of the matches and of the strikes. And it's also great that favorites are generally winning, and well. Generally.
My favorite World Cup things so far (not in order):
My favorite World Cup things so far (not in order):
- Ivorian defenders and defensive midfielders- short but quick and industrious. Will go far, definitely.
- Tomas Rosicky - I can only dream of him playing alongside Henry, Fabregas, Hleb et al next season.
- Kaka - when I said in 2002 he'd be better in his prime than Rivaldo in his prime, I was laughed at. Laugh now suckers.
- Online narratives by The Guardian - a no-miss. Brit humor to its prime.
- Pundit blogs by The Guardian - same
- The Leipzig stadium - too bad it'll host only third division matches.
- TV Terra: free online videos of best moments and goals one minute after the match - a blessing for workers. I can type in my spreadsheet and check Togo missing a handful of goals at the same time!!!!
- Lastly: The Iranian pennant - a piece of a Persian rug! As the Guardian (brilliantly as always) put it,
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
More World Cup predictions
Please note this is being written before the World Cup starts.
Today and maybe tomorrow I pick some games that will be very interesting to watch in the next couple of weeks. All in Brazilian time.
FOUR UNDERRATED GAMES
SWITZERLAND V KOREA REPUBLIC
Friday 23.06 Hanover (16:00)
Last match of the group, very likely that both teams will reach this point level on 3 points (having lost to France and beaten Togo).
Given that both squads are even, and known more for teamwork rather than individual talents, expect a lot of diligence and maybe a lot of goals.
My guess: Korea suffocates the Swiss and wins 2-1.
AUSTRALIA V JAPAN
Monday 12.06 Kaiserslautern (10:00)
Both have points to prove and a lot of expectation on their shoulders. The winner, if one comes up, will take on Croatia on a different spirit, with much greater likelihood to progress. The loser has to gamble it all against Brazil.
The fact that this is the first match of the group actually favors the likely winner vis-a-vis Croatia. They'll be able to plan their style of play much more accordingly.
My guess: Australia outmuscles Japan 2-1. But Japan`s goal will definitely be classy.
ECUADOR V COSTA RICA
Thursday 15.06 Hamburg (10:00)
Minnows, yes. Boring, nope. Both will enter HSV's stadium feeling certain they can win. Both will be all-out forward. Both defenses are kinda lame - maybe Ecuador's a bit less lame. Expect plenty of goals.
My guess: Ecuador wins 3-2, but please don't ask me who scores.
SPAIN V TUNISIA
Monday 19.06 Stuttgart (16:00)
An easy guess? Not so sure. Spain will come off scattered after a battle against Ukraine (though I truly think they can win), and Tunisia will have cruised past the Saudis in the first round.
Note that the North Africans are an experienced, organized, and even skillful team, who were African champions till last January. They will be tough to crack, but will also provide some entertainment like they did in last Confederations Cup.
And Spain will always be the most unpredictable team at a Cup.
My guess: a thrilling 2-2. Xabi Alonso scores from 30 m at minute 80-something when Tunisia leads 2-1.
Today and maybe tomorrow I pick some games that will be very interesting to watch in the next couple of weeks. All in Brazilian time.
FOUR UNDERRATED GAMES
SWITZERLAND V KOREA REPUBLIC
Friday 23.06 Hanover (16:00)
Last match of the group, very likely that both teams will reach this point level on 3 points (having lost to France and beaten Togo).
Given that both squads are even, and known more for teamwork rather than individual talents, expect a lot of diligence and maybe a lot of goals.
My guess: Korea suffocates the Swiss and wins 2-1.
AUSTRALIA V JAPAN
Monday 12.06 Kaiserslautern (10:00)
Both have points to prove and a lot of expectation on their shoulders. The winner, if one comes up, will take on Croatia on a different spirit, with much greater likelihood to progress. The loser has to gamble it all against Brazil.
The fact that this is the first match of the group actually favors the likely winner vis-a-vis Croatia. They'll be able to plan their style of play much more accordingly.
My guess: Australia outmuscles Japan 2-1. But Japan`s goal will definitely be classy.
ECUADOR V COSTA RICA
Thursday 15.06 Hamburg (10:00)
Minnows, yes. Boring, nope. Both will enter HSV's stadium feeling certain they can win. Both will be all-out forward. Both defenses are kinda lame - maybe Ecuador's a bit less lame. Expect plenty of goals.
My guess: Ecuador wins 3-2, but please don't ask me who scores.
SPAIN V TUNISIA
Monday 19.06 Stuttgart (16:00)
An easy guess? Not so sure. Spain will come off scattered after a battle against Ukraine (though I truly think they can win), and Tunisia will have cruised past the Saudis in the first round.
Note that the North Africans are an experienced, organized, and even skillful team, who were African champions till last January. They will be tough to crack, but will also provide some entertainment like they did in last Confederations Cup.
And Spain will always be the most unpredictable team at a Cup.
My guess: a thrilling 2-2. Xabi Alonso scores from 30 m at minute 80-something when Tunisia leads 2-1.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
BBC World Cup predictions
I might be the biggest BBC pundit wannabe in the southern hemisphere.
WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5020068.stm
Who will win the World Cup?
England. They are the only ones who can choke Brazil in the midfield. Some other teams have defenders good enough to cope with Ronaldo and Adriano - Italy and Argentina for instance - but when it comes to stopping supply, England can and will be decisive. There's a lot of strenght of character in players like Gerrard, Lampard and Terry, for instance, that does make an impact at that level. No one in Brazil - not even Emerson or Cafu - speaks out loud on the field like any of those three, or even like Gary Neville for that matter.
If not England, then Argentina, Brazil, Italy (in this order of likelihood) and no one else. Full-stop.
Team to watch
I'll go for Portugal here - they're not less strong than in 2004 and everyone knows how good Scolari is in the big stage.
In the "big guns" pool, I see Argentina and Italy doing good World Cups too in spite of their tough groups. Germany will make last 8 more due to lack of opposition than for merit.
Player to watch
I would have said Andriy Shevchenko before his injury. I'll choose then Kaka, who is more useful to Brazil than Ronaldinho, in my view.
Brazil has some tendencies to indulge in dull moments, especially when Adriano and Ronaldo get tired, or when Ze Roberto and the full-backs miss many passes; that is when Kaka's work rate and consistency are most fundamental, more than Gaucho's trickery.
And I think Steven Gerrard will end up as England's top scorer.
Surprise player
A couple of Mexican defenders are truly world class - especially keeper Osvaldo Sanchez and centre-back Carlos Salcido, both of whom I saw in action twice at the Libertadores this year. I think Mexico will end up between last 8 and semifinals, and much of that will be owed to a defence that, trust me, is much more than Rafael Marquez.
I also think Franck Ribéry in France, Cesc Fábregas in Spain and Javier Mascherano in Argentina will have their market values significantly increased after the Cup.
Surprise team
I used to tip Australia until recently, but Japan and Croatia will be tough to beat given what they've shown in pre-tournament games. I also used to think Ukraine would go far, but after warm-up games I'm not so adamant anymore they'd beat France or Korea comfortably at a last 16 tie.
So my strongest bet for surprise package will be Mexico, and the weirdest last 16 team will be Ecuador. As for the biggest losers in the group stage, Poland, Sweden, Holland, Switzerland.
What are you most looking forward to at the World Cup?
Betting a lot and mocking the loooooooooooooosers!!!!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Me on the BBC forum
I posted the following comment on a BBC Sport forum on "Who are the best players NOT going to the World Cup":
I have two sit-out starting 11s, one entirely made of Brazilian players, and the other, international. Notice how strong Brazil C would be:
Gomes (PSV)
Belletti (Barcelona)
Caçapa (Lyon)
Alex (PSV)
Fábio Aurélio (Valencia)
Rochemback (Middlesbrough)
Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Daniel Carvalho (CSKA Moscow)
Diego (Porto)
Alex (Fenerbahce)
Mancini (Roma)
My international sit-out team:
Given (IRL)
Zanetti (ARG)
Samuel (ARG)
Hyppia (FIN)
Wome (CMR)
Veron (ARG)
Scholl (GER)
Recoba (URU)
Makaay (HOL)
Martins (NIG)
Etoo (CMR)
For the record, BBC's sit-out starting 11 is Given; Lauren, Jorge Andrade, Maldini, Pernía; Baraja, Pires, Quaresma; Giuly, Vieri, Etoo.
I have two sit-out starting 11s, one entirely made of Brazilian players, and the other, international. Notice how strong Brazil C would be:
Gomes (PSV)
Belletti (Barcelona)
Caçapa (Lyon)
Alex (PSV)
Fábio Aurélio (Valencia)
Rochemback (Middlesbrough)
Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Daniel Carvalho (CSKA Moscow)
Diego (Porto)
Alex (Fenerbahce)
Mancini (Roma)
My international sit-out team:
Given (IRL)
Zanetti (ARG)
Samuel (ARG)
Hyppia (FIN)
Wome (CMR)
Veron (ARG)
Scholl (GER)
Recoba (URU)
Makaay (HOL)
Martins (NIG)
Etoo (CMR)
For the record, BBC's sit-out starting 11 is Given; Lauren, Jorge Andrade, Maldini, Pernía; Baraja, Pires, Quaresma; Giuly, Vieri, Etoo.
Monday, May 22, 2006
At war with the mystics
Tinha um crédito na Livraria Cultura do Shopping Iguatemi aqui em Porto Alegre, e no fim de semana queria passar lá e comprar um CD. Estava em dúvida entre Tim Maia Racional, o novo do Pearl Jam (com um abacate na capa), o novo do Chico ou algum dos novos da Marisa Monte.
Acabei comprando o novo do Flaming Lips - sim, novamente Flaming Lips. At War With The Mystics. Pink Floyd meets Beck meets Mutantes meets Moby meets Ziggy Stardust meets Sgt Peppers meets Pet Sounds --- peraí, já estou começando a achar que Flaming Lips é Flaming Lips e ponto! Se for começar a comparar fica louco.
Confesso que ainda não ouvi inteiro - assim como Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots tem um tempinho de adaptação antes de julgar, é um disco muito denso, com muitas mensagens e musicalidades. Não é como disco novo do U2 que dá pra gostar automaticamente.
Por enquanto gostei de "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" e "Vein of Stars". Ah, também lembra u pouco Stone Temple Pilots. Ok, ok, essa foi a última comparação.
Acabei comprando o novo do Flaming Lips - sim, novamente Flaming Lips. At War With The Mystics. Pink Floyd meets Beck meets Mutantes meets Moby meets Ziggy Stardust meets Sgt Peppers meets Pet Sounds --- peraí, já estou começando a achar que Flaming Lips é Flaming Lips e ponto! Se for começar a comparar fica louco.
Confesso que ainda não ouvi inteiro - assim como Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots tem um tempinho de adaptação antes de julgar, é um disco muito denso, com muitas mensagens e musicalidades. Não é como disco novo do U2 que dá pra gostar automaticamente.
Por enquanto gostei de "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" e "Vein of Stars". Ah, também lembra u pouco Stone Temple Pilots. Ok, ok, essa foi a última comparação.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
song on my mind
you're an accident
waiting to happen
you're a piece of glass
left there on the beach
well you tell me things
i know you're not supposed to
then you leave me
just out of reach.
(u2, "who's gonna ride your wild horses", achtung baby!, 1991)
waiting to happen
you're a piece of glass
left there on the beach
well you tell me things
i know you're not supposed to
then you leave me
just out of reach.
(u2, "who's gonna ride your wild horses", achtung baby!, 1991)
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
My Stevie Wonder tracks
Não consigo parar de ouvir o CD customizado do Stevie Wonder que ganhei do meu amigo Tomas em dezembro.
Faixas:
"Love's In Need Of Love Today"
"Have A Talk With God"
"Village Ghetto Land"
"Sir Duke"
"I Wish"
"Knocks Me Off My Feet"
"Pastime Paradise"
"Summer Soft"
"Ordinary Pain"
"Saturn"
"Ebony Eyes"
"Joy Inside My Tears"
"Ngicuelela / Es Una Historia / I Am Singing"
"As"
"Another Star"
Toooooodas são ótimas! Ultimamente estou ouvindo muito "Summer Soft", mas já tive fases de ouvir no repeat "As" (que já mereceu post isolado no blog), "Another Star", "Knocks Me Off My Feet", "Love's In Need Of Love Today"...
thanks Tom!
Faixas:
"Love's In Need Of Love Today"
"Have A Talk With God"
"Village Ghetto Land"
"Sir Duke"
"I Wish"
"Knocks Me Off My Feet"
"Pastime Paradise"
"Summer Soft"
"Ordinary Pain"
"Saturn"
"Ebony Eyes"
"Joy Inside My Tears"
"Ngicuelela / Es Una Historia / I Am Singing"
"As"
"Another Star"
Toooooodas são ótimas! Ultimamente estou ouvindo muito "Summer Soft", mas já tive fases de ouvir no repeat "As" (que já mereceu post isolado no blog), "Another Star", "Knocks Me Off My Feet", "Love's In Need Of Love Today"...
thanks Tom!
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Bold Sven
Oh yes. Sven was bold.
England's call up for the cup is shocking, to say the least. Especially considering their coach's historic conservativeness.
Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon in. Both below 20, none capped.
Shaun Wright-Philips and Jermain Defoe out. Both with several starts to their name.
Downing, Jenas and Hargreaves could be questioned but were hinted. The two teenagers, nay.
I thought about his selection for most of my day today - yes I did, I'm totally in World Cup mode these days - and I guess I got onto his thought process after all.
1. No Rooney or anything like him. So no useless heavy lads, let me take a smart kid.
There are several strong English strikers around these days - Andy Johnson, James Beattie, Dean Ashton, Marlon Harewood, Darren Bent - and they're not bad at all, but, let's face it, none gets the ball deep and creates space like Rooney does. They're all standing strikers, and they would neither start a game or be a good option during a match, for two reasons:
Walcott, on the other hand, I've never seen play (and neither has Sven) but is apparently a smart, cool finisher, with balance and pace, and with a career in Under-17s. If he's got the mind that Wenger says he does, he can enter and make a difference.
It is not uncommon for managers to select teens with potential to join World Cup squads - Brazil 94 had Ronaldo, and Brazil 02 had Kaká. However, those two were highly unlikely to feature (only the latter did, a couple of minutes against Costa Rica in a worthless game), whereas in a team with three forwards in which one hasn't played for six months and the other gives such limited options as Crouch, Walcott's chances of featuring increase a lot.
2. England's midfield might be great, but it is not wide. Let the width join in then.
I will assume that Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Joe Cole are starters. These are four of the best midfielders in the planet, four men with skill and drive, who finish superbly and dedicate themselves to every second of the match (well, maybe Beckham not every minute). So how to best use them to counter the loss of Rooney?
Simple answer, to me, would be to put a holding midfielder behind Gerrard and Lampard and let them push forward and shoot from the outside the same way Rooney would. That way he'd use the best out of them without putting them running into each other. Carrick has proven that, today, he is the best man to be in that holding role. Carrick, to us Brazilians unused to watching Tottenham matches, is like a blend of Gilberto Silva's marking with Juninho's passing.
That way, Beckham and Cole would right and left. But, let's face two facts:
He could send in Shaun Wright-Philips instead of Beckham for sure. But what would be the gain? It'd be dribbling mostly, since SWP is not that much faster than Becks. But counter-attacking is much more about pace than dribbling, especially against Brazilian 30-plus full-backs. Who could he send in?
Stewart Downing on the left has had an impressive season. Runs a lot and is precise on the crosses. Tick.
On the right, Aaron Lennon is definitely faster and arguably as skillful as Wright-Philips. Lack of international caps is surely compensated by a much steadier season at White Hart Lane. Tick.
Wright-Philips could still join in as a direct replacement for Beckham, should the captain be unfit and Lennon be deemed to fresh to start a match, right? Totally right. But then so would Jermaine Jenas, with the plus that the Tottenham midfielder also fits in as reserve right-back (saving a precious spot) and centre-midfielder. Not to mention his great season, while SWP sometimes warmed the bench, and other times warmed the Stamford Bridge stands. So my favorite player of the 2004-2005 season (while in Man City) misses out and hopes his portion of transfer fee pays for the disappointment.
Hargreaves, then, covers for Carrick, Gerrard or Lampard, maybe because Scott Parker is unfit, and that is it for the England midfield.
The sheer number of players with the capability of playing high-quality football in central midfield, together with the trying character of the wingers, indicates that Sven plans to use direct passing and midfield approximation as first tactics, leaving the crosses for after the sixtieth minute, when opposition would be tired.
Watch out for some quality passing then.
And let's hope, here in Brazil, that our coach could be 10% as bold. At least at reserve left-back.
(why is it that I was more anxious on the England call-up than I am in the Brazilian one?)
England's call up for the cup is shocking, to say the least. Especially considering their coach's historic conservativeness.
Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon in. Both below 20, none capped.
Shaun Wright-Philips and Jermain Defoe out. Both with several starts to their name.
Downing, Jenas and Hargreaves could be questioned but were hinted. The two teenagers, nay.
I thought about his selection for most of my day today - yes I did, I'm totally in World Cup mode these days - and I guess I got onto his thought process after all.
1. No Rooney or anything like him. So no useless heavy lads, let me take a smart kid.
There are several strong English strikers around these days - Andy Johnson, James Beattie, Dean Ashton, Marlon Harewood, Darren Bent - and they're not bad at all, but, let's face it, none gets the ball deep and creates space like Rooney does. They're all standing strikers, and they would neither start a game or be a good option during a match, for two reasons:
- they wouldn't start because that kind of striker needs a team built around them, feeding them, and Eriksson wouldn't play such tactics when, in absence of Rooney, he could build the team around Gerrard and Lampard. Besides, the plays are already directioned towards Owen who's a much better finisher.
- they wouldn't come as second-half options because Crouch does the same thing but is taller and holds the ball better. Full-stop.
Walcott, on the other hand, I've never seen play (and neither has Sven) but is apparently a smart, cool finisher, with balance and pace, and with a career in Under-17s. If he's got the mind that Wenger says he does, he can enter and make a difference.
It is not uncommon for managers to select teens with potential to join World Cup squads - Brazil 94 had Ronaldo, and Brazil 02 had Kaká. However, those two were highly unlikely to feature (only the latter did, a couple of minutes against Costa Rica in a worthless game), whereas in a team with three forwards in which one hasn't played for six months and the other gives such limited options as Crouch, Walcott's chances of featuring increase a lot.
2. England's midfield might be great, but it is not wide. Let the width join in then.
I will assume that Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Joe Cole are starters. These are four of the best midfielders in the planet, four men with skill and drive, who finish superbly and dedicate themselves to every second of the match (well, maybe Beckham not every minute). So how to best use them to counter the loss of Rooney?
Simple answer, to me, would be to put a holding midfielder behind Gerrard and Lampard and let them push forward and shoot from the outside the same way Rooney would. That way he'd use the best out of them without putting them running into each other. Carrick has proven that, today, he is the best man to be in that holding role. Carrick, to us Brazilians unused to watching Tottenham matches, is like a blend of Gilberto Silva's marking with Juninho's passing.
That way, Beckham and Cole would right and left. But, let's face two facts:
- Beckham is still a great passer and crosser, but has never been famous for running a lot - and now he is older.
- Joe Cole is quick, skillful and decisive - but will cut inside 2 out of three plays.
He could send in Shaun Wright-Philips instead of Beckham for sure. But what would be the gain? It'd be dribbling mostly, since SWP is not that much faster than Becks. But counter-attacking is much more about pace than dribbling, especially against Brazilian 30-plus full-backs. Who could he send in?
Stewart Downing on the left has had an impressive season. Runs a lot and is precise on the crosses. Tick.
On the right, Aaron Lennon is definitely faster and arguably as skillful as Wright-Philips. Lack of international caps is surely compensated by a much steadier season at White Hart Lane. Tick.
Wright-Philips could still join in as a direct replacement for Beckham, should the captain be unfit and Lennon be deemed to fresh to start a match, right? Totally right. But then so would Jermaine Jenas, with the plus that the Tottenham midfielder also fits in as reserve right-back (saving a precious spot) and centre-midfielder. Not to mention his great season, while SWP sometimes warmed the bench, and other times warmed the Stamford Bridge stands. So my favorite player of the 2004-2005 season (while in Man City) misses out and hopes his portion of transfer fee pays for the disappointment.
Hargreaves, then, covers for Carrick, Gerrard or Lampard, maybe because Scott Parker is unfit, and that is it for the England midfield.
The sheer number of players with the capability of playing high-quality football in central midfield, together with the trying character of the wingers, indicates that Sven plans to use direct passing and midfield approximation as first tactics, leaving the crosses for after the sixtieth minute, when opposition would be tired.
Watch out for some quality passing then.
And let's hope, here in Brazil, that our coach could be 10% as bold. At least at reserve left-back.
(why is it that I was more anxious on the England call-up than I am in the Brazilian one?)
Friday, May 05, 2006
From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination
"Procrastination is the deferment or avoidance of an action or task which requires completion by focusing on some other action or task. For the person procrastinating, this can result in a loss of productivity, stress and a sense of guilt. While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder."
"Traditionally, procrastination has been associated with perfectionism, a tendency to negatively evaluate outcomes and one's own performance, intense fear and avoidance of evaluation of one's abilities by others, heightened social self-consciousness and anxiety, recurrent low mood, and workaholism. Slaney (1996) found that adaptive perfectionists were less likely to procrastinate than non-perfectionists, while maladaptive perfectionists (people who saw their perfectionism as a problem) had high levels of procrastination (and also of anxiety)."
(...)
(...)
Acho que vou no médico.
"Traditionally, procrastination has been associated with perfectionism, a tendency to negatively evaluate outcomes and one's own performance, intense fear and avoidance of evaluation of one's abilities by others, heightened social self-consciousness and anxiety, recurrent low mood, and workaholism. Slaney (1996) found that adaptive perfectionists were less likely to procrastinate than non-perfectionists, while maladaptive perfectionists (people who saw their perfectionism as a problem) had high levels of procrastination (and also of anxiety)."
(...)
(...)
Acho que vou no médico.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Não vou mentir
Tá bom.
Não vou falar que, quando o juiz mandou voltar o primeiro pênalti do Rogério, eu não pensei "agora fudeu".
Isso depois do gol do Palmeiras e da expulsão do Leandro. E do Palmeiras surpreendentemente jogando melhor.
Mas não era pra ter sido tão sofrido assim, hein. E tomando chuveirinho na pequena área aos 49. Maior prova que "clássico é clássico e vice-versa".
Estava eu pensando se uma derrota do São Paulo hoje seria mais bizarra que a derrota do Corinthians pro Palmeiras em 2000. Acho que sim. Aquele Corinthians era melhor que este São Paulo, mas este Palmeiras é velho e tosco. Aquele Palmeiras pelo menos tinha Marcos, Alex e Júnior, que são craques incontestáveis e estavam no auge. Este, minha nossa, acudam.
Não vou falar que, quando o juiz mandou voltar o primeiro pênalti do Rogério, eu não pensei "agora fudeu".
Isso depois do gol do Palmeiras e da expulsão do Leandro. E do Palmeiras surpreendentemente jogando melhor.
Mas não era pra ter sido tão sofrido assim, hein. E tomando chuveirinho na pequena área aos 49. Maior prova que "clássico é clássico e vice-versa".
Estava eu pensando se uma derrota do São Paulo hoje seria mais bizarra que a derrota do Corinthians pro Palmeiras em 2000. Acho que sim. Aquele Corinthians era melhor que este São Paulo, mas este Palmeiras é velho e tosco. Aquele Palmeiras pelo menos tinha Marcos, Alex e Júnior, que são craques incontestáveis e estavam no auge. Este, minha nossa, acudam.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
"... war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate...."
It may not have come to the attention of the foreigners to Latin America that, yesterday, Labor Day Holiday 2006, witnessed what was maybe the fiercest unexpected unilateral action of one South American country against another since 1865. For South Americans, used to repression from their own governments, but oblivious to threats right across their borders, it was a shock.
I am talking about the announcement from the Bolivian president, hard-hat on, parading in a Brazil-owned gas refinery, that he was 'nationalizing' the country's gas reserves - i.e., taking over. Moreover, he demanded that all installations be handed over within 180 days, or else - - - or else? Well it was not that clear, but apparently it was left open that force could be used.
There's a lot of political background to that annoncement that I will not delve into here - Bolivia's past, Venezuela's rise, President Morales's campaign, President Lula's support, and a lot else - and the right-or-wrong discussion of whether the investments belong to the investors or to the country also deserves a lot more discussion than this blog entry might provide. This being a mere account of my personal thoughts, though, leaves me the space to talk about what has struck me most in all this soap-opera: talk of military action.
First of all let me compliment the handling of the situation by the Brazilian government so far - they recognized sovereignty of Bolivia, opened for talks, and at the same time assured Brazilian citizens that we would not run out of gas. Bear in mind that this is a country that has invested heavily in gas-powered automobiles, especially for people who drive a lot like taxi drivers. Ruling out the possibility of shortages is not only the only statement that REALLY matters to the people - it also gives Bolivia a sign that we're not desperate (for the fact that Bolivia is our main supplier) , but they should be (because we're their main customers, and can apparently find gas elsewhere).
But the most shocking news of the day, to me, was a poll on iG (a Brazilian news portal) that asked people of what kind should the Brazilian reaction to President Morales's act should be - diplomacy, economic sanctions, or military action. And it was even! Roughly a third of respondents chose each option.
It makes me think that Brazilians are a bit bloodthirsty, and too fond of reality shows to start 'dreaming' of televised attacks by our Army to the coca fields of Bolivia, going to the rescue of "our refineries".... Well I swear I haven't dreamed of that, but truth is we have never had a reason to wage war on a neighboring country - maybe the 1978 world cup - and this could be a reason for a more beligerant leader to be keen on pushing the button.
Luckily it seems that such a thing won't happen. Lula and Evo are too good buddies to even have sanctions declared, talk about war. But Evo shouldn't expect the same consideration (paternalization, maybe?) from private investors. Or American-owned businesses in Bolivia. Allende would know better.
Anyway, we chickened out on a war - either military or economic. Maybe the path chosen is worse for some (like Petrobras) in the short run but better for all in perspective. Let's see what happens next.
I wonder what Santiago De La Mora makes of this whole thing.
I am talking about the announcement from the Bolivian president, hard-hat on, parading in a Brazil-owned gas refinery, that he was 'nationalizing' the country's gas reserves - i.e., taking over. Moreover, he demanded that all installations be handed over within 180 days, or else - - - or else? Well it was not that clear, but apparently it was left open that force could be used.
There's a lot of political background to that annoncement that I will not delve into here - Bolivia's past, Venezuela's rise, President Morales's campaign, President Lula's support, and a lot else - and the right-or-wrong discussion of whether the investments belong to the investors or to the country also deserves a lot more discussion than this blog entry might provide. This being a mere account of my personal thoughts, though, leaves me the space to talk about what has struck me most in all this soap-opera: talk of military action.
First of all let me compliment the handling of the situation by the Brazilian government so far - they recognized sovereignty of Bolivia, opened for talks, and at the same time assured Brazilian citizens that we would not run out of gas. Bear in mind that this is a country that has invested heavily in gas-powered automobiles, especially for people who drive a lot like taxi drivers. Ruling out the possibility of shortages is not only the only statement that REALLY matters to the people - it also gives Bolivia a sign that we're not desperate (for the fact that Bolivia is our main supplier) , but they should be (because we're their main customers, and can apparently find gas elsewhere).
But the most shocking news of the day, to me, was a poll on iG (a Brazilian news portal) that asked people of what kind should the Brazilian reaction to President Morales's act should be - diplomacy, economic sanctions, or military action. And it was even! Roughly a third of respondents chose each option.
It makes me think that Brazilians are a bit bloodthirsty, and too fond of reality shows to start 'dreaming' of televised attacks by our Army to the coca fields of Bolivia, going to the rescue of "our refineries".... Well I swear I haven't dreamed of that, but truth is we have never had a reason to wage war on a neighboring country - maybe the 1978 world cup - and this could be a reason for a more beligerant leader to be keen on pushing the button.
Luckily it seems that such a thing won't happen. Lula and Evo are too good buddies to even have sanctions declared, talk about war. But Evo shouldn't expect the same consideration (paternalization, maybe?) from private investors. Or American-owned businesses in Bolivia. Allende would know better.
Anyway, we chickened out on a war - either military or economic. Maybe the path chosen is worse for some (like Petrobras) in the short run but better for all in perspective. Let's see what happens next.
I wonder what Santiago De La Mora makes of this whole thing.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Divagando sobre o grupo C
Recém-saído de um fim de semana na serra gaúcha completado com presença no Beira-Rio testemunhando Inter 1x0 Santa Cruz, gol de Rentería.
Divagando no fim de semana sobre inúmeros assuntos como o futuro de Sasha Meneghel, cheguei à conclusão que tenho um grande dilema nas minhas apostas à copa (assunto que tem ocupado muito da minha cabeça ultimamente): não sei o que fazer no grupo C. Pode dar qualquer coisa, literalmente.
Em comum, todos têm enorme vontade de dar a volta por cima, e para isso a mera passagem às oitavas servirá, já, para todos. Argentina quer se recuperar da eliminação em 2002; Holanda, da ausência na Ásia; Sérvia, quer mostrar força na primeira copa e sair da sombra da Croácia; e Costa do Marfim, provar que futebol africano pode, sim, ser eficiente.
Para atingir seus objetivos esses times vêm com remédios distintos. Argentina e Holanda deixam de lado jogadores experientes (como Verón, Ortega, Seedorf, Stam e Makaay) e trazem times muito jovens e muito ofensivos, com algumas das maiores revelações dos últimos anos (Messi, Robben, Tevez) e capitães carismáticos (Cocu e Sorín). Já Costa do Marfim e Sérvia têm elencos entrosados, defesas fortes (Dragutinovic e Vidic nos europeus, Touré e Eboué nos africanos) e atacantes que jogam muito mais pelo país que pelos clubes (Kezman e Drogba).
Fiquei pensando e acho que as combinações de resultados são uma colcha de retalhos. A Argentina pode ganhar da Holanda (que deve se abrir), mas acho que é segurada pela muralha da Sérvia e pode até perder pros contra-ataques letais dos marfinenses. A Costa do Marfim pode perder da Sérvia (que não vai sair pro jogo), mas contra Argentina e Holanda podem tanto ganhar no contra-ataque como perder por mero volume de jogo. A Holanda, no papel, pode ganhar de qualquer um, mas resta ver se a combinação jogadores jovens + esquema ofensivo + técnico inexperiente segura o tranco.
A minha previsão pra esse grupo muda literalmente toda semana, mas por hoje é mais ou menos assim:
10/06 em Hamburg - Argentina 1 x 1 Costa do Marfim
11/06 em Leipzig - Sérvia 0 x 1 Holanda
16/06 em Gelsenkirchen - Argentina 2 x 0 Sérvia
16/06 em Stuttgart - Holanda 0 x 1 Costa do Marfim
21/06 em Frankfurt - Holanda 1 x 1 Argentina
21/06 em Munich - Costa do Marfim 1 x 0 Sérvia
Com esses resultados teríamos Costa do Marfim em primeiro com 7 pontos, e Argentina em segundo com 5.
Mas a minha opinião anda muito volúvel esses dias. Especialmente em se tratando de copa.
Divagando no fim de semana sobre inúmeros assuntos como o futuro de Sasha Meneghel, cheguei à conclusão que tenho um grande dilema nas minhas apostas à copa (assunto que tem ocupado muito da minha cabeça ultimamente): não sei o que fazer no grupo C. Pode dar qualquer coisa, literalmente.
Em comum, todos têm enorme vontade de dar a volta por cima, e para isso a mera passagem às oitavas servirá, já, para todos. Argentina quer se recuperar da eliminação em 2002; Holanda, da ausência na Ásia; Sérvia, quer mostrar força na primeira copa e sair da sombra da Croácia; e Costa do Marfim, provar que futebol africano pode, sim, ser eficiente.
Para atingir seus objetivos esses times vêm com remédios distintos. Argentina e Holanda deixam de lado jogadores experientes (como Verón, Ortega, Seedorf, Stam e Makaay) e trazem times muito jovens e muito ofensivos, com algumas das maiores revelações dos últimos anos (Messi, Robben, Tevez) e capitães carismáticos (Cocu e Sorín). Já Costa do Marfim e Sérvia têm elencos entrosados, defesas fortes (Dragutinovic e Vidic nos europeus, Touré e Eboué nos africanos) e atacantes que jogam muito mais pelo país que pelos clubes (Kezman e Drogba).
Fiquei pensando e acho que as combinações de resultados são uma colcha de retalhos. A Argentina pode ganhar da Holanda (que deve se abrir), mas acho que é segurada pela muralha da Sérvia e pode até perder pros contra-ataques letais dos marfinenses. A Costa do Marfim pode perder da Sérvia (que não vai sair pro jogo), mas contra Argentina e Holanda podem tanto ganhar no contra-ataque como perder por mero volume de jogo. A Holanda, no papel, pode ganhar de qualquer um, mas resta ver se a combinação jogadores jovens + esquema ofensivo + técnico inexperiente segura o tranco.
A minha previsão pra esse grupo muda literalmente toda semana, mas por hoje é mais ou menos assim:
10/06 em Hamburg - Argentina 1 x 1 Costa do Marfim
11/06 em Leipzig - Sérvia 0 x 1 Holanda
16/06 em Gelsenkirchen - Argentina 2 x 0 Sérvia
16/06 em Stuttgart - Holanda 0 x 1 Costa do Marfim
21/06 em Frankfurt - Holanda 1 x 1 Argentina
21/06 em Munich - Costa do Marfim 1 x 0 Sérvia
Com esses resultados teríamos Costa do Marfim em primeiro com 7 pontos, e Argentina em segundo com 5.
Mas a minha opinião anda muito volúvel esses dias. Especialmente em se tratando de copa.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Lost
This blogging hiatus is partially due to my acquisition of the box of DVDs from the first season of LOST.
One night I watched 8 episodes in a row.
(8 times 45 minutes each.)
The other night I watched 4 in a row, the last one at 3 am when I had to wake up at 5 to take a flight.
It is damn deeply addictive.
You know what I like in it?
1. it is a reality show fan's dream - random people put together in an odd and unfriendly environment, and being followed around at every corner, but with interesting flashbacks from people's past
I am not a big fan of reality shows - no, seriously, not really, I hate it (except American Idol) - but there is a Survivor-esque feel to LOST that glues you to the sofa and just makes you watch it more and more.
2. it shows stereotypes.
Quoting my (dearly missed) friend Vikas Khanna, from New Delhi/India: "One thing Insead taught me about stereotypes: they're all true."
Vikas was talking about natinalities of course. LOST is more about stereotypical book/film characters. It has the hero doc, confident in the outside but anguished in the inside; the good burglar; the bad guy; the rich girl, Paris-Hilton-lookalike; the creepy hunter; the fat joker dude; the black guy, the "most normal" ; the Asian guy and his work ethic; the Muslim soldier, committed to every task; and so forth.
3. it reminds me a lot of a personal situation.
I was thrown in a strange tropical island with a bunch of strangers from different places, different cultures and different expectations, and after a period of finding out how to survive, we were all struggling to gain trust and confidence, and we eventually had to learn how to live with each other in the best way possible.
That pretty much sums up my year away doing an MBA.
One night I watched 8 episodes in a row.
(8 times 45 minutes each.)
The other night I watched 4 in a row, the last one at 3 am when I had to wake up at 5 to take a flight.
It is damn deeply addictive.
You know what I like in it?
1. it is a reality show fan's dream - random people put together in an odd and unfriendly environment, and being followed around at every corner, but with interesting flashbacks from people's past
I am not a big fan of reality shows - no, seriously, not really, I hate it (except American Idol) - but there is a Survivor-esque feel to LOST that glues you to the sofa and just makes you watch it more and more.
2. it shows stereotypes.
Quoting my (dearly missed) friend Vikas Khanna, from New Delhi/India: "One thing Insead taught me about stereotypes: they're all true."
Vikas was talking about natinalities of course. LOST is more about stereotypical book/film characters. It has the hero doc, confident in the outside but anguished in the inside; the good burglar; the bad guy; the rich girl, Paris-Hilton-lookalike; the creepy hunter; the fat joker dude; the black guy, the "most normal" ; the Asian guy and his work ethic; the Muslim soldier, committed to every task; and so forth.
3. it reminds me a lot of a personal situation.
I was thrown in a strange tropical island with a bunch of strangers from different places, different cultures and different expectations, and after a period of finding out how to survive, we were all struggling to gain trust and confidence, and we eventually had to learn how to live with each other in the best way possible.
That pretty much sums up my year away doing an MBA.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Dusting off old albums
Random choices from my iTunes that made my day better:
Play by Moby
A Thousand Leaves by Sonic Youth
Both kinda old. Both I know by heart. Both fantastic and deserve to be praised.
Play by Moby
A Thousand Leaves by Sonic Youth
Both kinda old. Both I know by heart. Both fantastic and deserve to be praised.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
2014
Another quote from the Observer (Paul Wilson's column) on a prolific blogging day.
"Brazil has not hosted a World Cup since 1950 so it must be due a turn soon. The tournament is going to South America in 2014, which seems the only possibility of Brazil getting a look-in during my working lifetime, and if Pele wishes to start lobbying for his own country rather than someone else's for a change that'll be all right with me. These observations are prompted by a quote I came across from Frederico Chaves Guedes, better known as Fred, the Brazil forward who played for Lyon against Milan in midweek.
Here is what Fred said: 'I did not play well at the start of the season. I struggled with the food in France after moving here from Brazil. I lost four kilos, and it is not easy to perform then.'
So this guy moves to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, no less, and finds the food so unpalatable he manages to lose over half a stone. Not only could he make millions from marketing that diet, his unhappy experience begs a burning question. Just how good must the food be in Brazil? I'm not sure I can wait until 2014 to find out. "
"Brazil has not hosted a World Cup since 1950 so it must be due a turn soon. The tournament is going to South America in 2014, which seems the only possibility of Brazil getting a look-in during my working lifetime, and if Pele wishes to start lobbying for his own country rather than someone else's for a change that'll be all right with me. These observations are prompted by a quote I came across from Frederico Chaves Guedes, better known as Fred, the Brazil forward who played for Lyon against Milan in midweek.
Here is what Fred said: 'I did not play well at the start of the season. I struggled with the food in France after moving here from Brazil. I lost four kilos, and it is not easy to perform then.'
So this guy moves to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, no less, and finds the food so unpalatable he manages to lose over half a stone. Not only could he make millions from marketing that diet, his unhappy experience begs a burning question. Just how good must the food be in Brazil? I'm not sure I can wait until 2014 to find out. "
"Are they all what they're cracked up to be?"
I was gonna write on the Indian restaurant I ate at today in Porto Alegre but this is a bit more timely.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1750190,00.html
Best parts:
"[Parreira's] scouting trips to Europe this season have revealed a multitude of worries. From his expected starting line-up in Germany, there is only one player whose excellence is beyond debate - the peerless Ronaldinho. As for the rest, the form guide is littered with inconsistency, injury, complacency and some downright awful displays."
""[...] as Tostao, the 1970 World Cup striker pointed out: 'There isn't a convincing substitute for Roberto Carlos.' Serginho, who has been playing that position with more defensive acumen for Milan, is 34, and Parreira is conscious his squad is already old enough."
"Defence is obviously Brazil's problem area, so it was a blow for Parreira to see midfield shield Emerson made to look geriatric by Arsenal."
"The general view among Brazilians is that the players are saving themselves for the World Cup. But, just because it worked last time around - when Brazil were so listless in the build-up to World Cup 2002 they almost failed to qualify, and we all know what happened next - does not mean they can turn it on again when it matters. Parreira can content himself, though, that Cafu has played only 14 matches for Milan this season, Ronaldo 24 for Real Madrid."
"Parreira will not tinker with his favoured formula. Brazil's manager is a conservative sort, loyal to his favourites. How else to explain that Juninho's polished performances for Lyon are not convincing enough for a first-team run? Or that his outstanding team-mate at Lyon, Cris, has not nailed a spot in defence?"
http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1750190,00.html
Best parts:
"[Parreira's] scouting trips to Europe this season have revealed a multitude of worries. From his expected starting line-up in Germany, there is only one player whose excellence is beyond debate - the peerless Ronaldinho. As for the rest, the form guide is littered with inconsistency, injury, complacency and some downright awful displays."
""[...] as Tostao, the 1970 World Cup striker pointed out: 'There isn't a convincing substitute for Roberto Carlos.' Serginho, who has been playing that position with more defensive acumen for Milan, is 34, and Parreira is conscious his squad is already old enough."
"Defence is obviously Brazil's problem area, so it was a blow for Parreira to see midfield shield Emerson made to look geriatric by Arsenal."
"The general view among Brazilians is that the players are saving themselves for the World Cup. But, just because it worked last time around - when Brazil were so listless in the build-up to World Cup 2002 they almost failed to qualify, and we all know what happened next - does not mean they can turn it on again when it matters. Parreira can content himself, though, that Cafu has played only 14 matches for Milan this season, Ronaldo 24 for Real Madrid."
"Parreira will not tinker with his favoured formula. Brazil's manager is a conservative sort, loyal to his favourites. How else to explain that Juninho's polished performances for Lyon are not convincing enough for a first-team run? Or that his outstanding team-mate at Lyon, Cris, has not nailed a spot in defence?"
Fight Test
Comprei o DVD do Flaming Lips e é muito legal.
"I don't know where the sunbeams end
and the starlights begin, it's all a mystery"....
"I don't know where the sunbeams end
and the starlights begin, it's all a mystery"....
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Excuses, excuses, excuses
I dodged the sushi dinner!
Well I did not go, eventually. Things happened and I gave a lame excuse. Anyway.
I don't wanna sound like my sister's blog, but this has been typical of me these days. Avoiding my problems. I guess I arrived back to Latin America with a lot of plans and did not expect some things not to work out as I had thought, and saw myself with less energy to overcome obstacles than I thought I had.
Vague, I know. But I took some resolutions as to things that are not smooth in my life, that I will from now on try to put into practice. For the time being, let the following specific information be disclosed: I will look for an apartment more actively and I will finally finish an overdue project at work.
Soundtrack: "Summer soft" by Stevie Wonder.
Well I did not go, eventually. Things happened and I gave a lame excuse. Anyway.
I don't wanna sound like my sister's blog, but this has been typical of me these days. Avoiding my problems. I guess I arrived back to Latin America with a lot of plans and did not expect some things not to work out as I had thought, and saw myself with less energy to overcome obstacles than I thought I had.
Vague, I know. But I took some resolutions as to things that are not smooth in my life, that I will from now on try to put into practice. For the time being, let the following specific information be disclosed: I will look for an apartment more actively and I will finally finish an overdue project at work.
Soundtrack: "Summer soft" by Stevie Wonder.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Pedro the sushiman
Yes, I once took a sushiman course.
No, I cannot cook sushi.
Well, I wouldn't rule it out completely, I mean, I guess I remember the theory, but having not put it into practice for the past year-and-a-half makes a difference, I would say.
Here and there, I admit I have bragged a little more than I should've about my fish-slicing and rice-rolling abilities. It is a great bar talk and it draws the attention (and interest) of girls. Now, however, the magic has turned against the wizard - one of the persons I entertained with this metrosexual man-cook tale has actually invited me to a dinner in which I'm supposed to cook my own sushi... Deeper than that, I'm supposed to go and buy my own fresh fish! Oh Lord help me....
I might be making a needless drama because it is actually really easy to cook sushi and sashimi. I mean, to do it an acceptable level, of course. Please, invitees, do not expect anything like the fish market in Tsukiji (Tokyo) - but that is actually the best sushi in the planet so I might be putting the expectations too high. Let's say it should be better than the sushi they serve at regular self-service all-you-can-eat restaurants in São Paulo........
More updates to follow after the dinner.
No, I cannot cook sushi.
Well, I wouldn't rule it out completely, I mean, I guess I remember the theory, but having not put it into practice for the past year-and-a-half makes a difference, I would say.
Here and there, I admit I have bragged a little more than I should've about my fish-slicing and rice-rolling abilities. It is a great bar talk and it draws the attention (and interest) of girls. Now, however, the magic has turned against the wizard - one of the persons I entertained with this metrosexual man-cook tale has actually invited me to a dinner in which I'm supposed to cook my own sushi... Deeper than that, I'm supposed to go and buy my own fresh fish! Oh Lord help me....
I might be making a needless drama because it is actually really easy to cook sushi and sashimi. I mean, to do it an acceptable level, of course. Please, invitees, do not expect anything like the fish market in Tsukiji (Tokyo) - but that is actually the best sushi in the planet so I might be putting the expectations too high. Let's say it should be better than the sushi they serve at regular self-service all-you-can-eat restaurants in São Paulo........
More updates to follow after the dinner.
Friday, March 31, 2006
What to see at the Premiership
I have to admit that as thrilling as I consider the English Premiership to be, times have stood in a kind of a lull for my beloved Liverpool. We are 5 points behind Man U, but 10 ahead of Spurs. We've crushed Everton already, and that's something that reallly counts. But no big surprises await the Kop nation in the following weeks, I reckon.
I am not saying I do not think it is a bad championship at all, especially considering the doldrums that are the mid-tables of Spain and Italy these days. When I do my daily click at BBC Sport to check the latest news, I have been focusing my attention on two places: Lancashire and South England.
4000 holes and three tough teams
Lancashire is a county up north (slightly south of Liverpool) that is famous for being mentioned in the Beatles song "A Day In The Life". This year the region's fans have a real reason to celebrate because the its three major teams (Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan) are serious contenders for European competition next season.
Bolton kind of screwed up in this year's Uefa Cup but are a solid and competent team that might use this experience to do a lot better next year. Blackburn are famous for being the team that everybody hates - especially for its stud-in-the-socks mentality and bad boys like Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy - and hence they are as tough to crack as a turtle shell. And Wigan has faded a lot since its amazing run in the beginning (maybe content with being runners-up in the Carling Cup) and have let Arsenal steal their once seemingly secured a Uefa Cup spot; even so, it has surely been the most memorable year for the Latics.
Pompey, hooray
As for South England... well it is more of a South American connection than anything else. Since Portsmouth signed Andrés D'Alessandro on loan I cannot help but follow them and see if the former River Plate star is playing well. Especially because the relegation fight is really tough - much more than last year I guess, when there were more teams competing - and it is sure that the two that will join Sunderland at the Championship in 2006-7 will come from a shortlist that includes Pompey, West Brom and Birmingham. The latter have a lower morale these days than Milhouse from The Simpsons, and WBA pulled it off last year (still with Kieran Richardson) but do not seem that confident this time.
Portsmouth, on the other hand, have won some interesting away games (such as West Ham) and have players that can cope with the task of winning more games than Brum and WBA. Pedro Mendes, a former Tottenham reserve, has been particularly impressive. And I wonder when D'Alessandro will start scoring some of his own.
So whoever feels like saying that England does not have thrilling football... well, you might wanna follow things in a closer look.
I am not saying I do not think it is a bad championship at all, especially considering the doldrums that are the mid-tables of Spain and Italy these days. When I do my daily click at BBC Sport to check the latest news, I have been focusing my attention on two places: Lancashire and South England.
4000 holes and three tough teams
Lancashire is a county up north (slightly south of Liverpool) that is famous for being mentioned in the Beatles song "A Day In The Life". This year the region's fans have a real reason to celebrate because the its three major teams (Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan) are serious contenders for European competition next season.
Bolton kind of screwed up in this year's Uefa Cup but are a solid and competent team that might use this experience to do a lot better next year. Blackburn are famous for being the team that everybody hates - especially for its stud-in-the-socks mentality and bad boys like Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy - and hence they are as tough to crack as a turtle shell. And Wigan has faded a lot since its amazing run in the beginning (maybe content with being runners-up in the Carling Cup) and have let Arsenal steal their once seemingly secured a Uefa Cup spot; even so, it has surely been the most memorable year for the Latics.
Pompey, hooray
As for South England... well it is more of a South American connection than anything else. Since Portsmouth signed Andrés D'Alessandro on loan I cannot help but follow them and see if the former River Plate star is playing well. Especially because the relegation fight is really tough - much more than last year I guess, when there were more teams competing - and it is sure that the two that will join Sunderland at the Championship in 2006-7 will come from a shortlist that includes Pompey, West Brom and Birmingham. The latter have a lower morale these days than Milhouse from The Simpsons, and WBA pulled it off last year (still with Kieran Richardson) but do not seem that confident this time.
Portsmouth, on the other hand, have won some interesting away games (such as West Ham) and have players that can cope with the task of winning more games than Brum and WBA. Pedro Mendes, a former Tottenham reserve, has been particularly impressive. And I wonder when D'Alessandro will start scoring some of his own.
So whoever feels like saying that England does not have thrilling football... well, you might wanna follow things in a closer look.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Geena Davis x Martin Sheen
I noticd there is a new TV series that tries to show the day-by-day of the White House. Surely a copycat following in the footsteps of "The West Wing", I thought, and given my predilection for the latter I had every reason to be skeptical and suspicious about this new show.
Then I realized that
(1) the president is Geena Davis - that's where the cliff she jumped into at the end of "Thelma and Louise" leads to, then: the White House! - and she is as convincing being tough as Mr Bean would be;
(2) the deputy press secretary (I couldn't really figure who the press secretary was) is Tiffany from "Once and Again" - from hippie single mother to press secretary, hooray, - and I wonder whether she interviewed for the job with C.J. Cregg (from "West Wing"), oh Lord she would be crushed like a cockroach.
(3) there is a kind of a strong focus on the daily life of the president's family - her siblings having breakfast with the first-gentleman (is that the correct term? whatever) and going to school, her leaving Situation Room to get a call on the mobile complaining about school change, and so on - and I felt like a couple years ago when I watched A LOT OF "Once and Again".
(4) people don't really look as busy as they do in West Wing - I don't know but they just seem a bunch of incompetents. Or a bunch of actors mocking a White House.
I may be too critical, and in fact I cannot say I was too hurried to change the channel - it is actually amusing, though in a Once-and-Again way, of people-having-all-sorts-of-trouble-juggling-personal-and-professional-lives, rather than in a West-Wing-way of I'm-in-the-créme-de-la-crème-job-in-public-andministration-and-therefore-I'm-so-good-and-I-love-my-job-but-it's-so-tough-and-I-got-no-personal-life. It's a different kind of series altogether, full stop.
Anyway, after it the new "24" season started and THAT was really good.
Then I realized that
(1) the president is Geena Davis - that's where the cliff she jumped into at the end of "Thelma and Louise" leads to, then: the White House! - and she is as convincing being tough as Mr Bean would be;
(2) the deputy press secretary (I couldn't really figure who the press secretary was) is Tiffany from "Once and Again" - from hippie single mother to press secretary, hooray, - and I wonder whether she interviewed for the job with C.J. Cregg (from "West Wing"), oh Lord she would be crushed like a cockroach.
(3) there is a kind of a strong focus on the daily life of the president's family - her siblings having breakfast with the first-gentleman (is that the correct term? whatever) and going to school, her leaving Situation Room to get a call on the mobile complaining about school change, and so on - and I felt like a couple years ago when I watched A LOT OF "Once and Again".
(4) people don't really look as busy as they do in West Wing - I don't know but they just seem a bunch of incompetents. Or a bunch of actors mocking a White House.
I may be too critical, and in fact I cannot say I was too hurried to change the channel - it is actually amusing, though in a Once-and-Again way, of people-having-all-sorts-of-trouble-juggling-personal-and-professional-lives, rather than in a West-Wing-way of I'm-in-the-créme-de-la-crème-job-in-public-andministration-and-therefore-I'm-so-good-and-I-love-my-job-but-it's-so-tough-and-I-got-no-personal-life. It's a different kind of series altogether, full stop.
Anyway, after it the new "24" season started and THAT was really good.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
A vacuum
I have been trying to find a reason to write again. Tough work as it already is to find subjects, I decided to ponder deeper, to search for something that would be a definite style: a pattern, something that would be elemental and definite of myself, like a piece of Peruvian fabric is so distinguishly recognizable as being Peruvian anywhere. That search, dear friends, is long and ardorous and I have not quite finished it.
I have experimented with football commenting a la chalkboards, which always enticed me and still do - especially David Pleat at The Guardian. However, they are much more fun to be thought about than written - it is long and dutiful. Plus it bores the readers in the long run.
Song lyrics have been tried as well, and they work very well when all the blogger wants to convey is his current mood. But they lack in creative spirit - I have to admit that many of the times I have published song lyrics I was just too lazy to type.
I have been thinking of writing about relationships - about my views on friendships, on work relationships, on romantic relationships, on family relationships, on aspects of relationships such as distance, dedication, absolute and relative care, and so forth. But after drafting a couple of times I gave up - relationships are more fitting when discussed in terms of fiction. So I may start short stories or a novel in a while.
But as of tonight, nothing new under the sun. Just a reminder that I am alive. And I'm gonna keep on trying till I reach the highest ground.
I have experimented with football commenting a la chalkboards, which always enticed me and still do - especially David Pleat at The Guardian. However, they are much more fun to be thought about than written - it is long and dutiful. Plus it bores the readers in the long run.
Song lyrics have been tried as well, and they work very well when all the blogger wants to convey is his current mood. But they lack in creative spirit - I have to admit that many of the times I have published song lyrics I was just too lazy to type.
I have been thinking of writing about relationships - about my views on friendships, on work relationships, on romantic relationships, on family relationships, on aspects of relationships such as distance, dedication, absolute and relative care, and so forth. But after drafting a couple of times I gave up - relationships are more fitting when discussed in terms of fiction. So I may start short stories or a novel in a while.
But as of tonight, nothing new under the sun. Just a reminder that I am alive. And I'm gonna keep on trying till I reach the highest ground.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Song of the Week
"Vou batê pá tú", Arnaud Rodrigues e Chico Anísio
Vou batê pá tú Bate pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Amanhã a pá não me dizer
Que eu não bati pá tú
Pá tú pode batê
O caso é esse
Dizem que falam que não sei o que
Tá pá pintá ou tá pá acontecer
É papo de altas transações
Deduração um cara louco
Que dançou com tudo
Entregação com dedo de veludo
Com quem não tenho grandes ligações
Vou batê pá tú Bate pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Amanhã a pá não me dizer
Que eu não bati pá tú
Pá tú pode batê
O caso é esse
Dizem que falam que não sei o que
Tá pá pintá ou tá pá acontecer
É papo de altas transações
Deduração um cara louco
Que dançou com tudo
Entregação com dedo de veludo
Com quem não tenho grandes ligações
Song of the Week
"Vou batê pá tú", Arnaud Rodrigues e Chico Anísio
Vou batê pá tú Bate pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Amanhã a pá não me dizer
Que eu não bati pá tú
Pá tú pode batê
O caso é esse
Dizem que falam que não sei o que
Tá pá pintá ou tá pá acontecer
É papo de altas transações
Deduração um cara louco
Que dançou com tudo
Entregação com dedo de veludo
Com quem não tenho grandes ligações
Vou batê pá tú Bate pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Vô batê pá tú, batê pá tú
Pá tú batê
Amanhã a pá não me dizer
Que eu não bati pá tú
Pá tú pode batê
O caso é esse
Dizem que falam que não sei o que
Tá pá pintá ou tá pá acontecer
É papo de altas transações
Deduração um cara louco
Que dançou com tudo
Entregação com dedo de veludo
Com quem não tenho grandes ligações
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