Alhaji Righteous De Ambitious: Jun 17, 2011

Friday, June 17, 2011

World Cup 2010 Blog: “Copa America Goes To YouTube” plus 1 more

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 10:35 AM PDT

copa-america-argentina-2011-500x300

The despite the emptiness and hollow being of having to traverse the rolling hills of the summer sans a World Cup or European Championships, there are a number of tournaments going on, including the Women’s World Cup, u17 World Cup, u21 European Champions and, of course, the ~~pseudo-tournament of several formalities before Brazil & Argentina inevitably play each other in a one-off trophy game~~ Copa America.

So there is ample football to be viewed, and YouTube is doing their part as well, offering up the Copa America to be streamed – the whole thing. Presumably with rubbish commentary, but we musn’t be greedy.

YouTube, which began live-streaming Indian Premier League cricket matches last year, announced Wednesday that it will show all 26 matches in next month’s Copa America.

YouTube said matches from the Copa America, which begins on July 1 and is being held in Argentina, will be live-streamed at youtube.com/copaamerica and available in more than 50 countries around the world.

“Fans will have access to all 26 matches including pool play, semi-finals, quarter-finals and the championship match, live streaming as they happen with exclusive-to-YouTube commentary,” YouTube said in a blog post

So does this mean Messi will be on YouTube?

That’s new.

Germany Tells Michael Ballack He’s Surplus To Requirements

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 06:24 AM PDT

13_BALLACK There are things which are done and things which are not done.

Informing Michael Ballack that he is retired not of his own choosing seems like it’d fall into the latter category. But oh, they did it.

Jogi Loew & Co. announced that Mr. Ballack was no longer in consideration for a spot in the national team. Presumably without asking for or receiving his thumbs up beforehand.

Now, Ballack doesn’t seem like a homicidal maniac, but he is certainly a strong character and though he hasn’t played for quite some time, and was removed as captain by this move effectively – and done so while sitting on 98 caps.

How ruthless. There is every chance this does not go well.

“The past months have shown that many young players are brought into focus and have good prospects. With them developing the national team since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the run [has been] completely positive,” the 51-year-old is quoted as saying on Bayer Leverkusen’s website.

“After I had discussed this issue with Michael Ballack at our last meeting in late March 2011, together in the open and then we talked on the phone several times, [we] have now taken a clear position before the start of the season.

“In our conversations, I had the impression that Michael definitely understands our vision. Therefore in everyone’s interest [there] is now an honest and clear decision attached,” he continued.

But did they let Philipp Lahm tell him the news first?