World Cup 2010

I was at the game Tuesday. There's nothing quite like going to a live soccer match abroad. But, I digress that this was more exhibition than anything else and I recognize. Sort of like NFL pre-season. Especially when the Red shirts where pussy-footing around for the first 5 minutes. That's OK, Messi took care of that pretty quick.

Oleee, Ole, Ole, Ole.

Messi, Messi.

Oleee, Ole, Ole, Ole.

Messi, Messi.

Still it was fun to put on the local uni colors and silly hat and go instant Boludo.

I'm hopeful to still be in town for Boca vs. River this season, so I can check that off the bucket list.

Scotland did win a competitive international game at the weekend with a 40 year old central defender on the field throughout (David Weir) So maybe it's not impossible for Zanetti to play an important part over the next four years?

The Copa in 2011 and the Mundial on Brazillain soil in 2014. What a way to wind up a great career! The maestro Maldini was 38 when Italy won in 2006, but had retired from International football in 2002.

With Messi, Higuain, Aguero & Di Maria etc all set to be truly seasoned players in their prime by 2014, the possibilities are limitless for Argentina.

If everything goes really well, maybe that horrible donkey, Demichelis, will have been shelved by then! Without that Fuckwit, Argentina can win everything!

Initial press releases indicated that Buenos Aires will not be highlighted as a venue. But the local mafia has not done it's work yet.

It will be in the month of July, with Japan and Mexico as the invited teams. No USA. So not sure which team I am going to adopt.

[QUOTE=Black Shirt]Initial press releases indicated that Buenos Aires will not be highlighted as a venue.[/quote]I guess that would be populist to have the games in Jujuy, Mendoza, and Cordoba. Why have Bs As a a primary venue? Not like the 13.05 million people living within the AMBA represent the largest market in Argentina (not to mention the third largest in LatAm and 15 largest on the planet)

This is a business after all.

[quote=]But the local mafia has not done it's work yet. [/QUOTE]This is a business after all.

[QUOTE=Black Shirt]Initial press releases indicated that Buenos Aires will not be highlighted as a venue. But the local mafia has not done it's work yet.

It will be in the month of July, with Japan and Mexico as the invited teams. No USA. So not sure which team I am going to adopt.[/QUOTE]Venues for the matches (from today's BA Herald):

La Plata, Cordoba, Santa Fe, Mendoza, San Juan, Jujuy and Salta. An opportunity to get out and see the country.

[QUOTE=Doggboy;412125]Venues for the matches (from today's BA Herald):

La Plata, Cordoba, Santa Fe, Mendoza, San Juan, Jujuy and Salta. An opportunity to get out and see the country.[/QUOTE]

Apparently there will be one match in Buenos Aires, the final match, at the Monumental.

[QUOTE=Exon123; 411122]It was my impression that Maradona was a God and could "Walk on Water"

Exon[/QUOTE]There are rumour's that the messiah could be returning to the job as manager of Argentina's football team.

[url]http:/www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Diego-Maradona-ready-to-return-as-Argentina-coach/10705/[/url]

[QUOTE=Flexible Horn; 412432]There are rumour's that the messiah could be returning to the job as manager of Argentina's football team.



Http:/www. Imscouting. Com / global-news-article / Diego-Maradona-ready-to-return-as-Argentina-coach / 10705/[/QUOTE]Maradona ain't coming back. His marketing folks are busy spreading one bullshit item after another trying to drum up some business for him. No self respecting country or club would have him. Of course, there are some non-respecting countries and clubs that, on an outside bet, might give him a shot.

Semi-related news, some scumbag from Atletico Madrid deliberately put a nasty challenge on Leo Messi at the end of a match yesterday. Full diagnosis yet to come, but it looks like a badly sprained ankle and at worse some ligament damage.

[QUOTE=Doggboy; 412437]Maradona ain't coming back. His marketing folks are busy spreading one bullshit item after another trying to drum up some business for him. No self respecting country or club would have him. Of course, there are some non-respecting countries and clubs that, on an outside bet, might give him a shot.

Semi-related news, some scumbag from Atletico Madrid deliberately put a nasty challenge on Leo Messi at the end of a match yesterday. Full diagnosis yet to come, but it looks like a badly sprained ankle and at worse some ligament damage. [/QUOTE]Jeez, now I read something that makes me wonder whether the Argentine Football Federation might actually bring Maradona back! Please, NO!

[QUOTE=Doggboy;412442]Jeez, now I read something that makes me wonder whether the Argentine Football Federation might actually bring Maradona back! Please, NO![/QUOTE]Love the pic and cartoon! LMAO

Not a MANU fan, but I pick Ferguson's boys to beat Barcelona. The Catalonians are great but their playacting and constant griping should not be rewarded. But I am afraid they may have the refreee in their pocket, early yellows would hamper the Reds from their game, and a 2nd yellow would be disaster. Evra has to play the game of his life to neutralise Messi, maybe, playing Park on the left wing will allow him to come back and help out. The Mexican Hernandez could be the match winer and a dream season for him. A great game from Nani would help. No Giggs please, maybe the last 3 minutes.

What! The game will be at around 4 or 5 am in BKK. Wow, looks like a all night pregame show.

[QUOTE=Black Shirt; 417659]Not a MANU fan, but I pick Ferguson's boys to beat Barcelona. The Catalonians are great but their playacting and constant griping should not be rewarded. But I am afraid they may have the refreee in their pocket, early yellows would hamper the Reds from their game, and a 2nd yellow would be disaster. Evra has to play the game of his life to neutralise Messi, maybe, playing Park on the left wing will allow him to come back and help out. The Mexican Hernandez could be the match winer and a dream season for him. A great game from Nani would help. No Giggs please, maybe the last 3 minutes.

What! The game will be at around 4 or 5 am in BKK. Wow, looks like a all night pregame show. [/QUOTE] their playacting and constant griping should not be rewarded.

First, only a few players do that, and that's also because the opposing teams found that the only way to stop them was to foul them. Remember, Barca is pretty much the Spanish team that won the 2010 world cup. Now, you add Messi to that line up, and good luck trying to beat them.

Everyone is trying to find ways to mess up their beautiful game. Fouling is usually the easiest thing to do. I was happy to see that ManU players did not resort to that tactic, with the exception of Valencia who seemed lost on the field. I expect Mourinho to come up with some ways to beat them next year, but they are still the most pleasant team to watch.

[QUOTE=Lefeu; 417670]their playacting and constant griping should not be rewarded.

First, only a few players do that, and that's also because the opposing teams found that the only way to stop them was to foul them. Remember, Barca is pretty much the Spanish team that won the 2010 world cup. Now, you add Messi to that line up, and good luck trying to beat them.

Everyone is trying to find ways to mess up their beautiful game. Fouling is usually the easiest thing to do. I was happy to see that ManU players did not resort to that tactic, with the exception of Valencia who seemed lost on the field. I expect Mourinho to come up with some ways to beat them next year, but they are still the most pleasant team to watch. [/QUOTE]Congratualtions, Barca. I enjoy footbal play at the highest skill level, and Barca is just that. ManU with their unusual midfield of Carrick, Giggs and Park was a disaster. 2 goals from the outside with Van der Sar unsighted both times by his defenders' failure to challenge the scorer spelled doom for ManU.

Look out for a healthy Arsenal. Nasri, Van Persie and Fabregas (maybe) can take on Barcelona at their game.

Well put. It was pretty clear yesterday why the likes of Mourinho and Wenger have gone defensive against Barca. If you actually try to play with them you get humiliated. IMHO-kudos to Ferguson for playing football against Barca though he and his team were soundly beaten.

Funny about the guys who can't keep themselves from fouling Messi. Nearly the entire Real Madrid squad, and Valencia had him targeted yesterday. Watching a guy who is that good drives them crazy.

And speaking of "lost on the field", what did much ballyhooed Chicharito accomplish other than being consistently offside? Talented kid but way out of his league yesterday.

[QUOTE=Lefeu; 417670]their playacting and constant griping should not be rewarded.

First, only a few players do that, and that's also because the opposing teams found that the only way to stop them was to foul them. Remember, Barca is pretty much the Spanish team that won the 2010 world cup. Now, you add Messi to that line up, and good luck trying to beat them.

Everyone is trying to find ways to mess up their beautiful game. Fouling is usually the easiest thing to do. I was happy to see that ManU players did not resort to that tactic, with the exception of Valencia who seemed lost on the field. I expect Mourinho to come up with some ways to beat them next year, but they are still the most pleasant team to watch. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the advice yesterday. I arrived at Gibraltar right before the match started and the place was packed. I was lucky even to find a place to stand. The crowd, as expected, was solidly behind Man U. The beer was great and the even had an excellent burger. Thanks again!