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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
No. 1 sleepers: Duke, Villanova, Kansas State in fight for top tourney seed
Monday, February 22, 2010
World Cup 2010 Blog: “Photo: A Skyline Befitting The World Cup.” plus 1 more
World Cup 2010 Blog: “Photo: A Skyline Befitting The World Cup.” plus 1 more |  |
| Photo: A Skyline Befitting The World Cup. Posted: 22 Feb 2010 04:10 AM PST A beautiful picture has begun to take shape.
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| Alexander Frei: International Football’s Hard Luck Man. Posted: 22 Feb 2010 01:40 AM PST
There’s little questioning their vengeful hatred now, as Frei, still the Swiss captain, faces a mad dash to simply make South Africa after breaking his arm on Sunday.
As any coach will tell you, when it comes to the World Cup simply being healthy enough to kick a ball isn’t going to cut it. Match fitness is at a premium and though there are exceptions – Frei, as captain and all-time leading goalscorer, could likely be one – Switzerland is now thrust into blueprinting another major tournament should Alexander’s rehab falter in the slightest.
With the Swiss league ending on May 15th, twelve weeks from now, there’s a chance Frei won’t play a domestic game before the World Cup kicks off in June. A tremendous blow for Basel, for Frei, but perhaps most of all, Switzerland. It’s the cruelest of timing for a man who’s already suffered the cruelest of fates on the biggest stage of his life.
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There were many scenes worth remembering from Euro2008, but there were | You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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Six pages of Olympic hockey: Team USA stuns Team Canada, 5-3, new favorites for gold
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Sunday, February 21, 2010
World Cup 2010 Blog: Whose Reputation Might Be Made In South Africa
World Cup 2010 Blog: Whose Reputation Might Be Made In South Africa | |
| Whose Reputation Might Be Made In South Africa Posted: 20 Feb 2010 11:45 AM PST
Obviously there are no bigger matches than the World Cup, and so when you do it on that stage, the argument is null and void. Chris’ post about exactly what is World Class got me thinking – which players aren’t quite the créme de la creme now, but may well be in a few short months? And which World Class players might take a hit to their reputation? Because a World Cup can do that to do you. Johan Cruyff was a talented sod who had already won European Footballer of the Year twice by 1974. But when you talk about his position among the greats, where do you point? The 1974 World Cup, of course. Quite simply, to go down as a true legend you have to do it at a World Cup. (Or play for a country that don’t play at the World Cup, so people can’t say you bottled it on the big stage) Its perfectly possibly that despite the struggle that their countries had to get to the World Cup itself, this might be the tournament where Messi and Ronaldo take the step up and become true giants. Because they might be the best in the world at the moment, but they aren’t quite on that level of alltime greatness just yet. And don’t be fooled by their qualification – Holland barely qualified for the 1974 finals afterall. Another way your reputation could change, could be your talented players make the step up to the level of World Class. Take Riquelme at the last World Cup. Alright his reputation has taken a bit of a hit since (Is there any club side that he can fit into?) but think just how good he looked in Germany. Argentina (all to briefly as it turned out) looked like they were going to waltz to a World Cup led by the best passer of the ball we’d seen in years. Fabio Canavarro too, had a wonderful World Cup, and really took it up to the next level. He might have had a bit of an indifferent time since, but he’s always going to be remembered as a great player because he did it on that stage. I don’t know who might make that kind of step up at this World Cup, thats the exciting bit. My hope is that it’ll be the tournament where Wayne Rooney steps up. He’s having an amazing season, but his World Cup record, well, its chequered what with the whole being-sent-off-last-time thing. But I know you guys might have some other ideas, you always do. So who do you think its going to be, that makes a name for themselves in South Africa?
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World Cups – they can make you, or they can break you. Particuarly in these over analytical times, arguments abound about just who the best players on the planet abound, and the biggest riposte to certain players is “well he never does it in the big matches”.| You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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Team Canada vs. Team USA: A lot at stake in tonight's Olympic hockey Border War
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Saturday, February 20, 2010
World Cup 2010 Blog: Francisco Varallo, Veteran of the 1930 World Cup Final, Now 100 Years Old
World Cup 2010 Blog: Francisco Varallo, Veteran of the 1930 World Cup Final, Now 100 Years Old | |
| Francisco Varallo, Veteran of the 1930 World Cup Final, Now 100 Years Old Posted: 19 Feb 2010 11:49 AM PST
Francisco Varallo, who played for Argentina in the 1930 World Cup final, turned 100 recently. Varallo was 20 years old at the time of the inaugural World Cup, and apparently the youngest player at the tournament. He is the only surviving player. Varallo celebrated his centenary near Buenos Aries, Argentina with a screening of the famous game from 80 years ago, which Uruguay won 4-2.
Varallo had missed the semi-final with a knee injury, but was determined to play in the 1930 final. However, even 80 years later the striker is understandably disappointed about the result.
Now, time to start a rumour. Argentina famously need a strong #9 going into World Cup 2010. Diego Maradona has shown a willingness to recall older players. So how about recalling Francisco Varallo for World Cup 2010 duty?
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In writing the 
Varalloa was a striker, and apparently had such a powerful shot that he went by the magnificent nickname of Cañoncito (The Little Cannon). Imagine getting in the way of one of his shots? With one of those heavy old leather footballs? No thank you.
Varallo had plenty of other successes though. He won three Primera División titles with Boca Juniors and the 1937 South American Championship (forerunner to the Copa América). Just as impressive, his record of 181 goals for Boca Juniors made him the club’s all-time leading scorer from 1938 until 2008, when Martin Palermo finally surpassed him. Varallo was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit in 1994.| You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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