World Cup 2014: Come and Gone!

Hello all! With the 2014 edition of the World Cup wrapped up, it is fair to say that it was one of the best ones in recent memory? True, I may be speaking from the perspective of a German fan who was ecstatic to see the Europeans lift the trophy, but I also believe that - objectively - the Brazilian event was one for the ages. Beginning in the group stages, we saw some exciting stuff with controversy in the opening Group A match between Brazil and Croatia: the Europeans would feel hard-pressed to have lost by a score of 3-1, but the rest of the tournament offered little solace as they bowed out with only a 4-0 drubbing of the group's beating boys Cameroon to their name. The pleasant surprises of the group were arguably Mexico - and in particular their outstanding goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa - who would go on to meet heartache of their own against the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Brazil and Mexico were the sides to make it out of the group in first and second places respectively (only separated by goal difference with 7 points a piece) while Croatia and Cameroon returned home earlier than they would have liked.

Over in Group B, titans collided and when the dust settled, Spain were the shocking losers traveling with Australia on their way out of the tournament. The Netherlands were indomitable, and Chile showed a resilient fire that unfortunately seemed to desert them as they advanced in the tournament. The Dutch took the top position in the group with a winning streak as Chile tallied 6; Spain grabbed 3 in the end; and Australia were thrilling, though to no avail as they collected 0 points.

Group C had its own brand of crazy as Colombia ran rampant over the competition; Greece edged out the right results after a 3-0 beating at the hands of the eventual group winners; the Ivory Coast were physically imposing though otherwise uninteresting; and Japan were inventive, a pleasure to watch, but only managed one point from the three group matches. Colombia and Greece proceeded on to do completely different things: The Europeans fell to a Costa Rican side that the world wanted to see do well in the Round of 16, while Colombia lost to the hosts in the Quarter Finals after a decent win over Uruguay.

As for Group D we had the world turn upside down for a couple of days. If you can find me one person who honestly thought that Costa Rica would progress from this group - let alone win the group - I would kiss you and them. And this wasn't at the expense of sides like Bosnia-Herzegovina or Iran (no offense!), but rather ITALY, ENGLAND, and URUGUAY. Frankly, it was awe-inspiring. The Ticos took 7 points, topped the group, beat Greece in the Round of 16, and were only just barely bested by the Netherlands in the Quarter Finals. Uruguay proceeded to be defeated by Colombia in the next round while Italy (with 3 points) and England (with 1) were left scratching their heads and wondering what the heck had just happened to them.

Turning now to Group E, where France scraped by with Switzerland after harrowing ordeals against Ecuador and Honduras. The Swiss lost to eventual Finalists Argentina in the next round as France beat Nigeria handily in the Round of 16 only to lose to the conquering Germans in the Quarter Finals by a single goal. There isn't much to say about this group as it was a straightforward one and the teams performed relatively close to expectations.

Group F is another matter. Although Argentina proved as deadly as anticipated (they did, however, lose strength rather than gain it moving out of the group), Bosnia and Herzegovina were less than their best. On attack they proved ineffectual against half-serious sides, while on defense they kept things close but could never work their own assault. Nigeria deserved the second slot despite drawing 0-0 with Iran (who were admittedly very spirited given the weight of the task that was expected of them) in their opening fixture. Edging Bosnia-Herzegovina and just barely losing to Argentina, the Africans earned their spot in the Round of 16 and it was a pity that they just rolled over against the French.

Now then, Group G which saw Germany slaughter Portugal 4-0 in the opener, the United States defeat Ghana 2-1 in an absolute thriller, and the Americans join the makers of Audi, Puma, and Haribo when all was said and done. Granted, Belgium would go on to beat the US by a single goal in the next round, but many of the fans kept watching as the Germans made a run to the World Cup Final... and win. Portugal were left deflated as they ended up in third on goal difference while Ghana earned a point from surprisingly drawing with Germany in their second group game. The United States tied with the Portuguese (though they honestly would have won, had it not been for Tim Howard's one and only mistake of the tournament) and lost 0-1 to Germany but it was enough!

Last but not least: Group H. Belgium ran out deserved leaders despite scoring few goals in comparison to the second place side. It wasn't Russia! No, not even South Korea! Yes, Algeria were the final surprise of the group stage with a 4-2 win over the Asians and a draw with the Russians after losing narrowly to Belgium in the first game of the group. As for the other two teams? They looked rather uninterested to be frank. They only ever scored a single, solitary goal (at most!) in any of the games they played. The Koreans couldn't stay off the ground, and the Russians seemed nonchalant as they were directed towards the exit following two draws: one in their first match with South Korea, and one in their last with the North Africans.

Going through the knock-out rounds, Brazil were able to edge Chile on penalties after a 1-1 game after 120 minutes - a lucky result for the hosts once more. Colombia roundly beat the Uruguayans 2-0 when the two sides faced off, while the Netherlands controversially beat Mexico 2-1 after a last gasp penalty was granted to the Europeans in the 4th minute of stoppage time. Huntelaar was more than up to the task of putting it away. Costa Rica defeated the stiff Greek defense on penalties after a 1-1 affair, while France beat Nigeria 2-0 and Germany had a bit more in the tank than the hard-fighting Algerians. Argentina sent the Swiss packing with a 1-0 victory as Belgium slotted home twice against the USA in their match-up. In the Quarter Finals, France lost 0-1 to Germany, Colombia lost to Brazil and Argentina beat Belgium by a similar deficit (1-2 and 1-0 respectively), as the Netherlands put Costa Rica to bed in penalties after a 0-0 game of football. The Semi Finals were another source of amazement as we watched Brazil mercifully lose 1-7 to the Germans (admit it, the Europeans could have made it much worse for them) and the Netherlands finally bite the bullet and fall in penalties to Argentina after playing out a 0-0 game. Fighting over third, Brazil were bested once more by the Dutch with a 0-3 scoreline before Germany found the back of the net against Argentina through Mario Gotze in the 113th minute of the match. Deservedly as the best team of the tournament, the Germans lifted the trophy and celebrated their 4th World Cup victory. Congratulations to all of the teams that participated and thank you for putting on such a brilliant festival!

A Tale of Woe Before Brazil 2014 Begins: 6/6/2014

The injured list for the run-up to the World Cup in Brazil has become rather populated of late. Even since my last post, France's Franck Ribery and Clement Grenier (who play at Bayern Munich and Lyon respectively) have been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to fitness concerns. England will be without Theo Walcott while Spain will miss Victor Valdes (although they do have Iker Casillas who would have doubtless started in goal). Part of the reason why Germany may be seen as having a weaker defense than they have fielded in the past is the fact that both Holger Badstuber and Ilkay Gundogan have been ruled out. One danger for Italy is the fact that midfield partner of Andrea Pirlo, Riccardo Montolivo, has been sidelined with an injury similar to the one Mexico's Luis Montes has experienced: a serious fracture in the leg. To clarify: Andrea Pirlo was NOT the one who was injured. Riccardo Montolivo was. The pair in the Italian midfield had only been brought up due to the fascinating football they have been playing up to this point. Add to that the fact that Croatia are without three class acts - Ivo Ilicevic, Niko Kranjcar, and Ivan Strinic - and you may just wonder whether a conspiracy exists to get the Brazilians to lift the World Cup on home soil. With absentees such as Kaka and Alexandre Pato (through the decision of the coaching staff, not injury) you can't say that everything looks great for the hosts, but it certainly could be worse. Personally, I hope that the likes of Bernard, Luiz Gustavo, and Maicon are able to perform. If so, the Brazilians might just take the world by storm.

World Cup 2014: Revisions and Predictions: 6/1/2014

Following the latest news and results, I believe that a reevaluation of the World Cup group predictions from last time is called for. Alongside this, I'll also be making some fearless guesses at the Round of 16 and on. Who'll win? As much as I would like it, probably not Germany. Off we go! In Group A, barring a complete collapse by the Brazilians, the only thing that has changed is who will be in second: I think Croatia might just be able to pull it off. They have shown by far more quality than Mexico of late which leads me to exchange the two in the standings. While the Central Americans may fare better in the climate, the Croatians have more on the bench for me as well as the endurance to push through any troubles. Cameroon is a side that I would love to see get out of the group. While Samuel Eto'o is a phenomenal player - even at his age - and the other members of the squad have a decent amount of class as well as strength, I fear that they may be out-matched in Brazil. It's possible that the Africans may take a point from the Mexicans, but it won't be enough. Not much has changed in my estimation of Group B. Spain and the Netherlands are still my picks to advance from the group, even though Chile will have the likes of Arturo Vidal in their arsenal. The South Americans won't roll over for the Europeans, they may even push them until the final match, but I fear that the Spaniards and the Dutch just have too much for the Chileans to handle. Australia remain odd ones out in my book!

Turning to Group C, Colombia should push through with the squad they have, while Greece will muddle on, defending as if their lives depended on it. Goals will be a concern for the Southern Europeans, but they should tally on the counterattack against sides like Ivory Coast and Japan; winning through in the process. While the Africans are certainly physically fit, you must wonder whether they may be outdone by the technical ability of the Japanese. Nevertheless, I would tip the Africans to finish in third despite the fact that I much prefer Japan's style of play. Group D is far more tricky as Italy and Uruguay remain my picks to progress, though England will hope to serve as dark-horses with Costa Rica probably occupying the bottom of the group standings by the end. While a World Cup win for any of the sides in this group looks unlikely, neither Italy, Uruguay, or England can be taken lightly. Between the two European sides, Italy and England, I would say that the Italians have the right balance of youthful exuberance and aged experience. True, the midfield looks somewhat gray behind the ears, but even so, England will be hard-pressed to match them in the South American heat. Uruguay meanwhile should run the English ragged. At the same time, they might not have the same physical presence as either the English or the Italians. But, they do have proven goalscorers who should harass the defenders of their opponents.

Group E is somewhat more straightforward. So long as the French actually arrive in Brazil, they have the talent to progress from a deceptive group. I say deceptive because the Swiss are a well put together side while Ecuador may serve as a surprise package. All the same, the two European sides are my choices for group winners. Honduras on the other hand would probably count a draw as a success in this group. In terms of title contenders, Group F has one such side: Argentina, who might not be on everyone's lips, but perhaps should be. If Lionel Messi is on target, there will be no stopping them. While the Argentinians should progress rather easily, Bosnia and Herzegovina are the team that I would pick to snatch second. In offense they are deadly while on defense they are as solid as a brick. The same cannot be said for the Nigerians or the Iranians who may pose a few roadblocks, though nothing that the higher quality sides in the group can't handle.

Finally, Groups G and H are rather similar. Both have two sides that should win it, while each have a third side that might just slip in under the radar. In the former, Germany and Portugal are the teams that are clear favorites. The potential stowaway? The United States. Yes, even without Landon Donovan I believe that they can edge Ghana, tie Portugal, and keep things tight in their last match against Germany who may have already qualified at that point. That is no to say that Ghana are push-overs, but they can certainly be beaten. In the latter Group, Belgium and Russia are most likely going to pull through, but don't be surprised if South Korea are able to surprise the Russian bears. And while the Belgians are certainly charismatic, you may wonder what happens when they get flustered or fall behind. It's true, I may be biased towards the South Koreans because of their technique and flair, but I also believe that the Russians are not nearly as strong as they have been in the past. As for the Belgians, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with, but the lack of international experience and change of climate may prove disadvantageous for them. As for Algeria, as wily as they may hope to be, there is only so much that a talent deficit can be concealed.

What of the Round of 16 and beyond? Well, I'll offer some considerations. Depending on how rough the Brazil-Netherlands match goes may determine further progression for either side as Colombia (or Italy, depending on how good the Colombians turn out to be) will offer stiff competition for whoever they face in the Quarter-Finals. France-Bosnia and Herzegovina should be a thrilling fixture with the two sides putting on a great attacking performance. On paper, the French should win the day, setting up a match with Germany who should make easy work of Group H second place side Russia. In the other fixture bracket, Spain will probably face Croatia and claim victory in typical Spanish fashion. The defending champions would then encounter Uruguay who will have beaten Greece in a rugged battle. Meanwhile, Argentina and Switzerland will take to the field in the Round of 16 as Belgium and Portugal face off in their respective fixture. Argentina will likely claim victory over their European opponents before facing off against either Portugal (probably more likely if Cristiano Ronaldo and company are in form and able to play) or Belgium (who would win if they are able to shut down Ronaldo and get their strikers to score as much as they have domestically) in the Quarter-Final.

Speaking of the Quarter-Finals, Brazil will likely best Colombia if they have gotten this far while Germany should handle anything the French can throw at them. Meanwhile, Spain-Uruguay and Argentina-Portugal will be contests just as heated as if they were the Final with Spain probably getting the better of the representatives from Uruguay and Argentina deconstructing the Portuguese. That means the Semi-Finals would place hosts Brazil against Germany while Spain take on Argentina. As much as I would love to see the Germans in the Final, I think that Brazil would claim victory if they made it this far. Argentina would then outdo the Spaniards, setting up a South American Final and a European Third Place match. Argentina would then perhaps break the hosts' hearts as Germany finally dispel their ghosts by defeating Spain in the Third Place match-up. What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to leave a comment! Enjoy the build-up to the showdown!

World Cup 2014 Brazil Update! 5/10/2014

With the World Cup in Brazil fast approaching, let's reconsider the chances that the respective teams have in the competition. Many team updates have impacted the chances of particular sides in performing once the games kick-off. Starting with Group A, Brazil are the obvious favorites of finishing at the top. Mexico are my pick for second place, though it'll be a close run between them and the team that I believe will take third place: Croatia. Finally, Cameroon are the side unlucky enough to get placed in such a competitive group. They are a decent side, and may very well challenge the Mexicans and Croats. 

Group B stands in a similar position to the first group, with Spain my choice of going to the top of the group. The Netherlands should manage second despite Chile's best efforts. Injuries in the South American's squad have dented their chances to be sure. Australia are rather helpless in this group though. They are transitioning with a new coach which may prove too serious a handicap for the Aussies. 

As for Group C, Colombia are potentially the best side of the four though Greece, Japan, and the Ivory Coast are very close in terms of talent, drive, and togetherness. I would suggest that the Greeks are the most well put together side, but every group match will be a challenge here! The Japanese and the representatives from the Ivory Coast will ensure that the action does not stop. 

Turning now to Group D, at least one big name will fall: Italy and Uruguay are my picks to move forward. Their squads should have sufficient depth to deal with the other group members. Having said that, England will certainly challenge the South Americans at least. Nevertheless, the squad fluctuations for the English may prove disastrous. They won't be embarrassed, but the going will be difficult. Meanwhile, Costa Rica should be encouraged to enjoy their time in the tournament, as they will probably fail to qualify for the next round.  

Group E is arguably one of the most straightforward in the competition, with France and Switzerland talented enough to make through at the expense of Ecuador and Honduras. Having said that, the Europeans are very similarly talented; though the delegates from the Americas should prove a close race. Ecuador will provide a spirited display, though the Swiss defense and French cannons should prove too much for them in their respective encounters. 

The teams in Group F are a challenging bunch, with Argentina the clear victors in my book though Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria are difficult to differentiate. All the same, I think that Bosnia-Herzegovina will place second while Nigeria will defeat the Iranians to stay off of the bottom of the table. The Europeans will hope to continue their free-flowing football, while Iran will hope to keep their heads and play the game that they have played through qualifying so successfully. 

 Group G may be the most exciting one, with Germany and Portugal the favorites to progress while the United States and Ghana will be left fighting for third position. No one side is clearly weaker than any other. Ghana may falter, under the sustained pressure of their three competitors. The U.S. and Portugal are trickier opponents for the Germans, though I would expect Cristiano Ronaldo and company to undo the Americans when the time arrives. 

Last but not least, Group H has the potential to become an open contest. Belgium and Russia should win through, but South Korea may challenge the Eastern Europeans – who are not nearly as strong as they have been in the past – while Algeria may be left disappointed unless they can find the back of the net more often against quality opposition. One concern for the Belgians is the depth of their squad and the threat that a disappointing initial result against the Algerians may do to their morale. Hope you are looking forward to the World Cup!

U-17 World Cup: Costa Rica: 3/24/2014

This one is for the ladies, that is those amazing women who are participating in the U-17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica. The group stage has run its course and the excitement will continue tomorrow! Let's start with Group A where the hosts had a dismal three and out performance and Zambia's time in the tournament was only slightly better: a 2-1 victory over the Costa Ricans in the last match the two sides would play in the competition. As for the sides who actually progress into the next round, Venezuela took pole position with three wins and no goals conceded. They also scored 8 goals of their own. Italy meanwhile grabbed second with two wins and a loss to the Venezuelans. On to Group B now where Ghana had a turbulent run to the top of the group as Canada edged North Korea to second position with one victory and two defeats. The Koreans had one of each: a victory, a draw, and a loss. Last of all, and somewhat surprisingly, came the Germans with just a point to their name after striking twice against the Canadians in their group opener and losing the remaining two matches. Hopefully the World Cup in Brazil turns out better for them! In contrast to Group B, Group C was a runaway success for two teams: Japan and Spain who seized first and second places respectively with a total of 25 goals combined. The fortunes were reversed for New Zealand and Paraguay who were only separated by goal difference after drawing 1-1 in the group opener before losing their other two matches. Last but not least, Group D was a straightforward affair: Nigeria were undefeated in three matches while Mexico succumbed in their last game of the group to the Africans. China took third with a solitary win over Colombia, who finished bottom of the barrel with 0 points and a negative goal difference.

Moving into the knock-out stage of the World Cup, the Quarter Finals pose Venezuela against Canada, Japan versus Mexico, Ghana take on Italy, and the Nigerians face the Spanish. So long as the Venezuelans can continue their free-firing nature and hold it together in the back, the Canadians will be hard-pressed to advance to the Semi Finals. Having said that, the North Americans have a fierce defense and proved their attacking discipline in qualifying so expect an explosive encounter. As for the encounter between Asia and South America, that of Japan and Mexico, I anticipate that the Japanese will hope to wrap things up before penalties - their record in that facet of the tournament has not been stellar while the South Americans performed admirably in their qualifying penalty shoot-out showdowns. Both sides are defensively strong, though I would pick the Japanese to break the deadlock. Ghana meanwhile will not be looking forward to facing Italy in the next round. Both teams have tenacious defenses and much will depend on whether the Africans' Jane Ayieyam and Ernestina Abambila can get through the likes of Italy's goalkeeper Francesca Durante and defenders like Lisa Boattin. It won't be easy but I would love to see the Ghanaians do it. And then we have Nigeria-Spain. Africa's other representatives, Nigeria were a surprise package when they arrived in Costa Rica this year having not played a single competitive qualifying game leading up to the tournament. They proceeded to usurp Mexico and deal with China and Colombia to make it this far. Seeing how the Germans fell so abruptly in the group stage, the precedent has certainly been made for the Spaniards to join their German counterparts. I don't see it happening though: Spain has too much in every position and a bench to supplement any injuries or suspensions. Nigeria won't roll over, but Spain will see it through. Enjoy the matches!

International Friendlies 3/5/2014!

Building up the excitement as we approach the 2014 World Cup, France have ended the Netherlands' run of 17 matches unbeaten in competition. Scoring through Karim Benzema and Blaise Matuidi, the 2-0 scoreline was well-deserved after a poor showing from the Dutch side. Meanwhile, Ukraine were able to keep a clean sheet against the United States in addition to scoring twice against the Americans. Courtesy of Andriy Yarmolenko and Marko Devic, the Ukrainians were able to put aside the troubles sweeping their nation for a time and provide a stunning performance in Cyprus against a quality - though defensively questionable - U.S. team. As for Argentina-Romania, the South Americans will be hoping that their performances improve in time for the tournament in Brazil: a 0-0 scoreline was a salute to the Eastern Europeans' defensive solidarity but left many doubts over the Argentine goal-getting capability. England's game with Denmark was a close affair though the British were finally able to get their noses in front through a phenomenal performance by Daniel Sturridge after Denmark's keeper, Kasper Schmeichel, had kept a clean sheet for much of the match single-handedly. Playing in Madrid, Spain were able to notch a 1-0 victory over Italy thanks to Pedro's 2nd half goal. One of the most riveting matches was arguably that between Portugal and Cameroon where the visitors performed admirably in the 1st half only to get clobbered in the 2nd. Vincent Aboubakar gave Cameroon the lead but Cristiano Ronaldo equalized accounts just before the half-time break. Ronaldo went on to score a second while Raul Meireles, Fabio Coentrao, and Edinho each contributed to the 5-1 final score. Two more games now. Germany's date with Chile was an awkward affair, the Europeans winning through with a solitary goal from Mario Gotze in the 1st half. I would like to note that the uniforms the Germans wore seemed a little strange to me, feel free to leave your own comment on them but I prefer the predominately white jersey. Last but not least, Belgium versus Ivory Coast! The hosts went into the half-time break leading due to Marouane Fellaini's goal though I would say the 2nd half is where the action really started. Belgium's midfielder Radja Nainggolan made it two for the Europeans while Didier Drogba reminded us why he is better than many of the younger players with a goal. Max Gradel also scored for the Ivorians making it a 2-2 final score. Great games all around, best of luck to the teams as they continue their preparations for Brazil!

World Cup Run-Up Friendlies!

Fascinating fixtures coming up soon with the contenders for the World Cup set to take the stage in a couple months. Spain are testing some new line-ups out in their match with Italy with Juan Mata and David Villa both benched to allow for Diego Costa's entrance into the side. As for the Azzuri, both Balotelli and De Rossi are out of contention due to injury and disciplinary issues respectively. Germany vs Chile should be another interesting encounter with the Europeans unknowns such as Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Shkodran Mustafi, Andre Hahn, and Matthias Ginter. Bastian Schweinsteiger should also appear. As for Chile, it would be great to see an attacking showing from the South Americans with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, and Arturo Vidal. I'll be returning to this subject later but I have to take off now, just keep the following on your radar: Belgium against the Ivory Coast, Portugal versus Cameroon, Mexico take on Nigeria, France fight the Netherlands, England hope for a win against Denmark, Austria stand against Uruguay, and the United States travels to take on Ukraine. If those line-ups don't make you salivate you are no soccer fan!

Domestic Round-up: Where the Leagues Stand After a Thrilling Weekend - 3/2/2014

Brilliant games around the world this week as most leaders continued their dominance, increasing their margins over their nearest rivals. Spain was a notable exception to this case as Real Madrid were only able to keep a one point cushion after Atletico Madrid - who sit in third with 61 points - were able to tie with their cross-town rivals 2-2. One point behind Real, in second place, are Barcelona who have 63 points after a 4-1 victory over Almeria this weekend. Besides these three though, the league title appears to be out of the reach of fourth position Athletic Club who have 50 points. Villarreal occupy fifth position with 44 points while Real Sociedad are hot on their heels and seventh position Sevilla have 38 to their name. Over to Portugal where, after many years of dominance by the northern side Porto, Benfica have claimed the top spot with 52 points. Their rivals Sporting Lisbon sit second with 47 while the dragons of Porto hold third with 43. Estoril is still in the title race with 39 points in fourth while it is a slightly longer shot that CD Nacional or Vitoria - in fifth and sixth respectively with 34 and 30 points - could challenge. North now to France where Paris Saint-Germain are eight points clear at the top of the table with 64 points to the good. Monaco are in second with 56 points while LOSC Lille are in third with a lot on their plate: Saint Etienne are in fourth with 48 while Marseille and Lyon have 43 and 42 respectively. Stade de Reims are in seventh with 42 meaning the next round or two of games will go a long way to determining who ends up having a chance at taking a swing at either PSG or Monaco. East now, in Germany, Bayern Munich are twenty points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. Dortmund are the side in second with 45 while Bayer Leverkusen are in third with 43. Schalke meanwhile, who have played a style of football that can only be described as abominable, somehow sit in fourth with Wolfsburg and Mainz particularly close to overtaking them. Down in Italy, Juventus are the side that are looking most likely to win Serie A this time around. While Bayern are without a doubt the team with the largest cushion, Juve have amassed an eleven point gap between themselves and closest pursuers Roma, who have 58 points. Napoli sit third with 52 while Fiorentina, Inter Milan, and Parma sit in the forties. Finally, to the north where England has seen Chelsea cement their position with 63 points. Both Liverpool and Arsenal have 59 while Manchester City have 57 and Spurs hold 53. United are in the top seven though, right under sixth place Everton who have 48 points from 27 matches played. Finally, and I know you are all concerned about this one, Celtic of Scotland have collected a grand total of 75 points from 28 games, losing just once and drawing thrice. Aberdeen and Motherwell are their closest competition - in second and third - though the bhoys should feel secure in their position. Dundee United and Inverness round out the top five with 44 each. Keep following and I hope you got to catch some of the games!

Women's World Cup Qualifying! 2/13/2014

Alright then! The qualifying campaign for the showcase event in Canada 2015 has begun with the usual suspects making the rounds and looking like solid contenders for qualification. In Europe, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Scotland, Norway, England, and France have put themselves at the top of their respective groups with some mouth-watering performances (Not one of the top sides has any less than 12 points to their name). The Germans are undefeated in 5 matches with a positive 40 goal difference while Switzerland have struck 17 without reply in 4 games. England are the other side to have notched plenty of goals while maintaining a clean-sheet with 20 to the good in 4 matches played. The second place teams of the respective groups are the Republic of Ireland with 7 points from 3 games; Italy are 2nd in Group 2 with two victories and a loss in 3 games. Israel meanwhile are 4 points off of the mark in Group 3 with the same performance as that of the Italians although Sweden in Group 4 are just 3 points away from Scotland with a game in hand. Arguably one of the tightest groups is that of Group 5 where both Belgium and the Netherlands have 10 points from 5 games - meaning Norway with 12 at the top actually have a game in hand - 4 more than Portugal in 4th position. Over in Group 6, Ukraine and Wales are the sides picking up the scraps left by England with 6 points each. Onwards to our last group for today: Group 7! Finland are the side directly in the shadow of France with a perfect record from 3 games. Hungary also have the opportunity to move up the ladder effectively as they are currently tied for 3rd with Austria though with a game in hand.

Predictions for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. 12/7/2013.

Well I will promise you all right now: I will not cite the Confederations Cup as a source of information on how the teams participating will do next year. Additionally, I'll say that travel and climate will be an issue for some of the teams playing in the tournament - but this is professional football, not a pick-up game so I expect the sides to compensate for any of these concerns if they have any hope of progressing through the stages to the showpiece event. Injuries may well be an issue, and I'll post closer to the tournament with any updates on that front. As for now, let's get into the predictions! In Group A, Brazil are certainly favorites to win with Mexico and Croatia the two sides fighting for the second position slot. I'd tip Mexico to make it through as Cameroon finish rock bottom and Croatia will not quite have enough. The opening match will set the tone for the Eastern Europeans as they face Brazil in the kick-off for the whole tournament. Depending on how poorly that first match goes, Croatia may well have the stuffing knocked out of them when they face Cameroon 6 days later. On to Group B now where Spain and the Netherlands should be the two to make it through although Chile will not make life easy for either side. Australia will probably not have booked hotels beyond the group-stage dates as a swift exit is on the cards for them. Again, though, the opening match in this group may determine a great deal as Spain take on Netherlands in a match-up that should stir a great deal of emotion from the last time around. If Holland loses their cool, and some players for disciplinary reasons, expect an abrupt South American vacation. As for Group C, Colombia should find their way through however Japan, Greece, and even Ivory Coast will have reason to believe that they can progress to the knock-out round. I'll say Greece might clinch it because of their typical defensive prowess though Japan shouldn't count themselves out of the race. Much will decide on whether Colombia can break down the gate when they face Greece in the group's opening fixture Ivory Coast's match with Japan should prove much more entertaining. Group D meanwhile may be seen as having a three-way race on the other side of the table: Italy and Uruguay are my favorites to proceed - in first and second respectively - however England will not give much to them easily. Costa Rica on the other hand is almost guaranteed a three-and-out affair with little hope of even tying any of the other three. If Italy can defeat the English in their opening fixture, they should win the group; otherwise it'll be Uruguay in first and Italy in second. Onwards to Group E where France and Switzerland are the notable - if imperfect - favorites and Ecuador and Honduras are left fighting for honor. Having said that, if the Swiss don't perform in the opening fixture against Ecuador, they'll be out while France's first match against Honduras should be a nice introduction to the continent. Group F will likely see Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina go through despite Nigeria's best efforts. Iran should enjoy their time on the world stage and play to the best of their ability - this is the culmination of all the work that they have put into the side and it would be disappointing, though not unexpected to go out without a point. Group G. For many of those of you who follow this blog, you'll likely feel hard done by the draw for the United States. It is true, Germany and Portugal are the undeniable favorites to win the group and contenders for the tournament title. It is also true that Ghana are a well put together side and possibly the strongest African side (after Ivory Coast) in the tournament this year. Despite these facts, when the U.S. plays Ghana in their first match, they will give it their all and the two sides really are just about equal on paper. At the very least I would expect the U.S. to draw that game and give the European sides a run for their money before bowing out with their heads held high. Finally, Group H: where Belgium, Russia, South Korea, and Algeria face-off and the Europeans are once more the favorites to make it through. There is honestly little chance that either the Koreans or the Algerians will mount much of a challenge against the Belgians and the Russians though I could see the Russians making life difficult for themselves when they face South Korea in the opener. Algeria will likely bow out in 4th with South Korea above them and Belgium deserved leaders. Again, look for an updated post closer to the tournament about any injuries and such that may alter these predictions. May the best side win!

World Cup 2014 draw! 12/6/2013

And the results are out! After the drawing for the group-stage of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, we have hosts Brazil in Group A against Croatia, Mexico, and Cameroon. In Group B, Spain, the Netherlands, Chile, and Australia will face-off for the right to make it into the knock-out round. Group C is full of dark horses with Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, and Japan promising for an exciting opening set of matches. Group D is arguably the opposite with Uruguay, England, Italy, and Costa Rica competing for just two places in the next round. Group E should be relatively straightforward with Switzerland, Ecuador, France, and Honduras fighting for the right to lift the World Cup. Group F should be relatively open as Argentina must contend with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, and Nigeria. Group G on the other hand will likely be incredibly tight as Germany, Portugal, Ghana, and the United States must fight with only two sides progressing to the next round. Last but certainly not least, Belgium, Algeria, Russia, and South Korea make up Group H. Look for a predictions post in the very near future!

Women's U-17 European Championships and the Passing of Nelson Mandela. 12/5/2013

Excitement and somber memorial. That is what today may be described as in a few words. In the European Championships Semi-Final round, Italy faced Germany as hosts England took on Spain. In the first match, the Germans booked their place in the Final with a 0-1 victory over the Italians. The solitary goal was courtesy of Ricarda Walkling in the 15th minute after a stunning performance by the Germans which saw them largely dominate proceedings. Elsewhere, Spain gave their hosts no quarter in a 3 goal thriller that saw Andrea Sanchez perform admirably with goals in the 16th and 79th minutes. Pilar Garrote's 55th minute strike was also clean as the Southern Europeans absolutely dominated the game from start to finish. Expect a good match in the Final, I would tip Spain to win as they seem almost unbeatable at the moment.
Nelson Mandela, the one-time South African President and non-violent opponent of injustice and South African Apartheid as well as the voice of modern human rights passed away today at the age of 95. While a phenomenal example of the good that can manifest itself in the human spirit, Nelson Mandela was also an stunning figure in the world of sports. Utilizing rugby in particular, he united a nation; in 2010, he was arguably the man who inspired South Africa to successfully host the largest sporting tournament in the world - the FIFA World Cup. Words cannot describe the significance of Nelson Mandela in life, and his passing similarly prompts one to speechlessness. He will be missed, and may his memory be eternal.

Latest Domestic Standings 12/4/2013.

Before the upcoming fixtures across Europe, let's look at where things stand on a domestic basis! Spain seems like a decent place to start, where Barcelona have been in imposing form alongside Atletico Madrid - the two sides tied at the top with 40 points apiece. Real Madrid occupy 3rd position with 37 points as Athletic Club and Villarreal round out the top 5. The former have 29 as the latter sit on 28. Onwards to England now where Arsenal have gotten off to a decent first 13 games with 31 points earned. Chelsea hold 2nd with 2 points to spare over Manchester City as the Blues have 27 to their name. Liverpool are the side tied for 4th with Everton: both teams have 24. Across the channel, in France, Paris Saint-Germain have a slender lead of the table with 37 points and a game in hand over the competition. LOSC Lille are a point behind the Parisian outfit and one up on AS Monaco who have a significant hold on 3rd. 4th position Marseille have just 27 points as Nantes round out the best teams thus far with 26 points. Over in Germany, things are somewhat closer with Bayern up top with 38 points from 14 matches, Bayer Leverkusen 4 points off in 2nd, and Borussia Dortmund in 3rd with 31 - 3 points clear of 4th-placed Borussia Monchengladbach. Schalke have 5th just barely in their grasp on 24 points. South, in Italy, Juventus have grabbed 1st with 37 points just as Andrea Pirlo is forced out of contention for what may well be a month! Roma sit 2nd with 34 while Napoli are 3 behind them and Inter Milan and Fiorentina are tied for 4th with 27 each. Last but not least, the Portuguese league currently has the two main Lisbon sides, Sporting and Benfica, level at the top with 26 apiece while Porto are in 3rd with 24. As for those teams that aren't really in contention but would like to think they are, Gil Vicente and Estoril Praia are the closest to mounting a challenge with 18 and 17 respectively. Let me know if there are any things you'd like to see more of!