Posted by jukkahoo
Brrrrraaaaaaaaazzzzzzzziiiiiillllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[samba] Auriverde rules! What could be more "beautiful game" than that? Adriano! Kaká! Ronaldinho! And Adriano again! 4-1!
Did you see how Cicinho played? The tiny man assisted in all four goals. Magnificent! He may well be the answer for Cafú´s probable departure from the international games in the near future (he did leave Auriverde after Japan, but he seems to have changed his mind at some point). Sadly, Gilberto is no Roberto Carlos, even though he isn't bad. Not just... great enough. If only Roque Junior wouldn't be Carlos Alberto Parreira's backrubber or summat.
And finally Kaká woke up. A lot of work during previous four matches, but little to show for it. Juninho Pernambucano played (what, a game and a half?), scored a glorious goal and showed amply why he is the heart and soul of Olympic Lyonnais. Kaká needs to play like this (and like he does with AC Milan) in order to keep his position. But then again, it's CAP, he is notorious for sticking with the system, and at present the system is Kaká with Ronaldinho. We'll see what happens next year, when the three champions (Il Phenomena, Il Pendolino and RC) are thrown into the mix. Ronaldo AND Adriano up? Robinho and Ronaldinho passing the ball on up-midfield and Kaká with Whoever-likes-to-defend behind them? With Roberto Carlos and Cafú (or my new favourite Cicinho) running the sides. Could Ze Roberto or Emerson take Roque Junior's place?!! Please...?
And Adriano! Il Imperatore was sublime tonight. Two outstanding goals and great moves through-out the game. That left feet is worth its weigh in gold-pressed platinums. And more. Much more.
The Canaries are now the reigning World Champions, Confederation Cup and Copa America Champions. Rather impressive. A week ago the under-21 team were still the reigning champs. And I believe the under-17 team champions are... Brazil!
AURIVERDE!!!! [/samba]
(Um, yes... the Swecon report. RSN. Meanwhile, read what Tero has to say about it.)
I've already read Tero's report. And I'm sorry I missed the game. I don't follow soccer, so I didn't even know it was played, but if I had known, I'd have tried to watch it. Hmm, but our TV reception doesn't work right now, so I wouldn't have been able to anyway. Suddenly I realize we have to arrange to I don't miss the World Cup next year...
Anyhow... Swecon report!
Posted by: Johan A | June 30, 2005 at 10:09
It was a beautiful game of the beautiful game, no doubt about it.
And Germany managed the minimum and beat Mexico, even playing one mand down most of the second half and the continuation. Props to Klinsman for making _Germany_ play positive and exciting football, though it makes me very confused: I am so used to defend my favourites plodding kick-the-ball-around-for-90-minutes-and-then-Germany-wins game that it takes a while to get used to the new Germany which apparently has a permanent open doors day at the defence but also scores beautiful goals.
Posted by: Sari | June 30, 2005 at 11:56
Both games were great. Germany-Mexico was even exciting, superb goals from both sides. Hanke lost his temper and deserved his red card. Dreisler let us see some tricks that people are used to see only from latino players and Sari's favourite Bastian Schweinsteiger showed that he will be one of the best in the future. And Borgetti? They keep admiring his head for a reason.
Brazil just CRUSHED Argentina. There is nothing to be said, except the same I have been shouting already for some time: GET RID OF ROQUE JR.!!! And Argentina was typically Argentinian again: fast, technical and nasty. But against "The Chosen Ones" you have to be something else: you have to be better than the best.
Posted by: Teemu | June 30, 2005 at 14:27
I don't want to downplay any of the performances in the Confederations Cup, but the problem with the tournament is that it really does not go the history books, no matter how well you played. After the World Cup, nobody in Brazil will regard Confederations Cup as a consolation, if the national team doesn't do well. And at least in the years gone by, not all continental champions have been interested in participating or sending the best team available.
But that being said, this year's edition sounds like it was much better than usual (although I did not see any of the games), and great football is great football regardless of the tournament where it is played.
Posted by: Manu | July 11, 2005 at 11:44