I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned the World Cup especially with all this talk about how the ball is making the game different.
For myself, I can't understand why they would use a "untested" ball in something as big as the World Cup.
As far as the games I'm also surprised that so many have ended in ties I had excepted wins from some of the times that only managed a tie.
Well, even thou I have been reading articles the last couple of weeks there is one one that says:
"And, surely, for a certain manufacturer whose signature product is coming under ever-increasing scrutiny. Adidas, however, defends the ball.
“This ball has been around since December and been used around the world with very few comments,” Andy Harland, the developer of the ball, said in a recent interview with British television station Sky Sports News. “Teams have gone to altitude and you have seen comments in those situations.”
A skeptical public – and 32 starting goalkeepers – might take a bit more convincing."
Several players have commented on the ball and it has been said that it was the ball that caused the problem for the goal keeper in both the US score and the Slovenia score against Algeria on Sunday.
Judging by his blog, Paul probably doesn't even know there is a World Cup being played. He seems too occupied with fishing and golf.
The ball has been in use in the Bundesliga since December and in some of the tournaments in Holland. It's made by Adidas and I think it's worth noting that most of the players complaining are sponsored by Nike.
I can't say that I've noticed any unusual movement of the ball, even with all the HD and super slo mo.
Bit of a shame - otherwise Rob Green might have an excuse. At least we have an English spill that the Americans don't mind.
Well, as much as Paul talks about soccer and how much better it is then "American Football" I see it still comes down to the old say "Any given Sunday...this team can beat that team (or vise versa):
Headline: Switzerland, a 250-1 long shot, pulls off a devastating upset of tournament favorite Spain. - Looks like the World Cup is going to be up for grabs by just about everyone!
I'm really beginning to wonder about this tournament. The U.S. loses a win because the referee calls some phantom foul (which I don't think anybody has explained yet) then today's New Zealand/Italy game outcome comes to question because of a missed/incorrect call on being offsides. I thought the FIFA said they didn't want any controversial games!
I agree - and Kaka's sending off yesterday was ludicrous.
Trouble is partly that they are being politically correct by appointing officials from all over the world, so that many have no experience at top class matches.
I think that class will tell now that the group stages are nearly over and teams have to go for the win.
I just hope that England can rediscover theirs.........
Well it's to bad I have to work on Friday, looks like a couple of great games (maybe the best of the cup)
Brazil vs Portugal & Chile vs Spain
The one with the most to lose is Spain - if it loses it goes home (maybe true with a draw as well). I'll miss all of the Brazil match but with luck I'll be able to catch some of the other one. Hopefully the refs will do a good job with these matches!
Looking ahead if the U.S. makes it past Ghana, I think it will be it a tough match with Uruguay if it survives that match, I would pretty much expect it's next game to be it's last (but you never know).
Still wondering where all the football fans are.....