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June 24th, 2006
12:03 am - World Cup Knockout
So, out of the 16 teams I picked to advance to the knockout stage, 10 of them made it. I was perfect in Groups B, C, and D. However, I had the Czech Republic and the United States going through in Group E ... oops. Anyways, since my predictions were mostly accurate, let's take a look at my new educated guesses for the single-elimination portion of the World Cup, shall we? :)
Round of 16
  Germany def. Sweden
  Argentina def. Mexico
  England def. Ecuador
  Netherlands def. Portugal
  Australia def. Italy
  Switzerland def. Ukraine
  Brazil def. Ghana
  Spain def. France
Sweden has looked very shaky throughout group play while Germany waltzed right through Group A. If Mannschaft can play this well without Ballack being that effective, how good will they be when he does get on a roll? Mexico was hanging onto their World Cup in their match against Portugal. Sadly though, it was Angola who was threatening them. Ecuador proved all doubters wrong when they schooled Poland near sea level. However, they can't run with World class footballers unless they are 2 miles above sea level. After disappointing campaigns in '02, two of the most dangerous squads in Europe face off in the what-should-be the best Round of 16 match. If it comes down to penalty kicks, Portugal wins, but I don't think the Oranje midfielders will let that happen.
If there is going to be an upset in the first round, look no further than Italy-Australia. The Socceroos proved in qualifying and in the tournament that they can turn on the boosters when they need to, and I think they will in crush time against Azzurri. On the other hand, Switzerland-Ukraine is probably the weakest game in the Round of 16. And again, if this comes down to penalty kicks, the Swiss are doomed. But, their brickwall-like defense should see them through to the Quarterfinals. The Black Stars of Ghana are the feel good story of the tournament, recovering from an opening game defeat to knock the Czechs and Americans out of the World Cup. However, Brazil is in a class all by themselves and should have no problems dominating the lone African nation left. The final game of this round pits two European powerhouse programs against each other. Spain has looked nearly unbeatable in a weak group while Les Bleus struggles to advance out of their weak group. I think we have learned to expect nothing from the French unless they are playing on their home turf.
Quarterfinals
Germany def. Argentina
Switzerland def. Australia
Netherlands def. England
Spain def. Brazil
For being the deepest and most balanced team in the tournament, Argentina plays very sparadically. If they bring the team that beat Serbia & Montenergo onto the pitch, they will walk all over the Germans. But anything less, and the Albicelestes are done. Needless to say, the Switzerland-Australia match is the weakest of the Quarters. However, it can't be emphasised enough they both teams deserve to be there. In the end, I believe that the Swiss defense will be strong enough to shut down Cahill and the Aussie attackers. They won't win pretty (when have they?), but they will advance to the Semis, nonetheless.
The Netherlands will be England's first real test this World Cup. And after so many close calls and nail biters, the luck of the Three Lions is bound to run out. And on top of that, the English usually choke in the Quarterfinals anyways. Of all the soccer powerhouses, Spain has had the least success in the World Cup while Brazil has had the most. Spain proved doubters, like myself, that their offense could produce goals, and boy, did they. Brazil has enough weaknesses that La Furia can exploit in this match. I know everyone else is predicting a Germany-Brazil final. Not this time, sister.
Semifinals
Germany def. Switzerland
Spain def. Netherlands
Simply put, this match will be a battle of Germany's attackers and the Swiss defenders. But, usually in cases like this, some unsung hero or "X-factor" comes through and makes himself the difference in the game. The German defenders are the X-factor of this game. We have heard all about them but haven't seen them do their work yet. Well, against a marginal Swiss offense, we will see how good they really are.
This Semifinal will not see a shortage of goal scoring with some of the best attackers and midfielders in the world on the same pitch. So again, the difference will be which defense does a better job of containing the other one. And while the Oranje defense is superior, the Spainish attackers are that much more superior.
Third Place Match
Netherlands def. Switzerland
Who watches the Third place game anyways? I have to believe this match draws about as much interest as the Angola-Iran match earlier in this World Cup. But this one will provide no reason to watch unless you are a citizen of either country. The final will be 1-0. The two defenses are two strong and their attackers too questionable. Or, who knows, maybe this will come down to penalty kicks. Either way, Switzerland doesn't have the horses to keep up with the Netherlands.
Championship
Germany def. Spain
Spain finally advances to their first ever World Cup Championship. But, every silver lining has a cloud. And the cloud over Spain's head is the away game in Berlin, facing the Germans. Both teams have solid defenders, great attackers, and can control midfield. I have to give this one to Germany on the grounds of ...well, it's their ground. In Barcelona or Madrid, I would give this match to Spain in a heartbeat. But, it's in Berlin, I have to go with the host nation.
2006 FIFA World Cup Champions
 Germany
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/neko/kaokitty/geeky.gif) geeky
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11:15 am - MJ: no one like him today, yesterday, or ever
The next sportswriter or media outlet who tries to compare someone to Michael Jordan needs to be taken out and beaten, Mick Foley-style. Now, we have to realistic that MJ is a once-in-a-generation player. He is someone with such talent, that most of us will never seen another one like him again in our lifetimes. I have my own doubts that he's the greatest basketball player ever, but that's another column for another day. Today, we are talking about how the sportswriters have spent the last 12 years trying to predict the next MJ, and have been wrong each and every time.
The comparisons began back in the 1993-94 season, the first season after Jordan's first retirement. However, the serious search for the next Air Jordan didn't come until the end of his second run with the Bulls. At that point, several names came out of the woodwork.
The first player was Allen Iverson with his amazing shooting and his friendliness with the media, just don't ask him questions about practice. There is no doubt that The Answer will end up in the Hall of Fame, if only for his shooting. However, his leadership and ability to make players around him better are severly lacking compared to MJ. And finally, since being drafted in '96, he has only taken the 76ers past the Conference Semis once. And let's not forget how weak the Eastern Conference has been since the turn of the century. Next MJ? Not even close.
Unless AI, this next candidate has some rings on his hand, but who he's touching with the other hand, we don't know. Kobe Bryant, like AI, has been one of the biggest scoring threats in the NBA, especially after Shaq's departure to South Beach. The best comparison that Kobe has to Michael is his three-peat with the Lakers at the beginning of the century. Outside of that, however, he is hardly worthy of being compared to MJ. Since Shaq left, Kobe's Lakers have failed to win a playoff series even though he is putting up career numbers. And do we really want to go into fan relations with this guy since his little escapade? Next MJ? Only if he wins a couple titles without Shaq.
I know you all are waiting for this name to pop up: Vince Carter. Seriously, I could have a field day giving people an example of why his guy is anything but the next Jordan. While with the Raptors, the only three-peats he accomplished were straight playoff appearances and injury-riddled seasons. Except I think the injury-riddled season streak is still continuing. And let me ask you, when was the last time MJ dogged it for multiple season just to be traded? Next MJ? Not even the next Steve Kerr.
Before even being drafted out of high school, the so-called "experts" were refering to LeBron James has the next Michael Jordan. In fact, the media was so in love with this Ohio product, they deemed him "King James" before he even signed with Nike, let alone the Cavs. LeBron has been amazing in his first three seasons, improving his stats and his team's record each and every season. The biggest question is whether the Cavs organization will give him to roleplayers needed to be the next MJ. The Bulls did it for Jordan, but Cleveland has ever been a winning franchise and are riding on the shoulders of LeBron for as long as they can. Next MJ? He has the talent, but not the team.
And since his Finals MVP earlier this week, Dwayne Wade has been crowned the new "Next Michael Jordan." Yes, he was key is the Heat's success over the past two seasons and key to them winning the franchise's first ever championship. The kid has talent, no one will argue that, but is it really all him? Didn't we see the same thing when Shaq had a talented guard in LA? Y'know, I'm starting to wonder if it's really Kobe and D-Wade. Could it be that Shaq, at the age of 34, is the next MJ? Next MJ? Wait til Wade doesn't have Shaq before answering.
Now, there are other names that have come up in passing or haven't come up at all, from two-time MVP Steve Nash (but he's Canadian, so he can't be the next MJ) to Manu Ginobili (Albiceleste) to Chauncey Billups. Heck, being from Ohio, I've heard O.J. Mayo's come up in this conversation when he isn't beating his female classmates.
But, boys and girls, let's just admit it, there will not be another Michael Jordan in our lifetime. Michael Jordan's legacy goes beyond championships, MVPs, and stats. He changed the game of basketball, from his freshman season at UNC to turning around the Wizards, even when he was well past his prime. Is he the greatest basketball player ever? Arguably. Will anyone ever change the game like he did? Not in my lifetime.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/neko/kaokitty/annoyed.gif) annoyed
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