Monthly Archives: June 2014
Happy Monday!
First off: Great job yesterday by the United States versus mighty Portugal. Literally except for the last seconds, it was one hell of an effort.
“I believe that we will win!”
The top two teams from Group A and Group B will advance to the round of 16 later this afternoon. While Group B already has the Netherlands and Chile advancing, their match at noon on ESPN will determine the #1 and #2 seeds for the next round. Group A will likely see Brazil control Cameroon and secure the #1 spot, but the Croatia v. Mexico game should be an absolute thriller for #2 in the group. However, if Cameroon plays inspired, they could potentially prevent Brazil from the #1 spot or from even advancing depending on the result from the Croatia v. Mexico game…
Bottom line: Group A’s matches will be exciting to watch on ESPN and ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
While relaxing late last night watching television, I saw the scene below. It wasn’t the first time I had seen it, but it rang surprisingly true for this World Cup because it doesn’t always matter what teams or players are supposedly better or superior in certain skill-sets, but whether or not they win the big games when it counts.
Happy Monday and Congratulations Again to the San Antonio Spurs!
Where Imagination Cannot Be Hushed
Italy v. Costa Rica (Noon, ESPN)
Switzerland v. France (3:00 p.m., ESPN)
Honduras v. Ecuador (6:00 p.m., ESPN)
Listed above are the three World Cup matches scheduled for today. However, it’s Friday and because I’m a little bit random, this post will focus on a subject 180 degrees the other way.
Why not?
When I arrived at work this morning, I typed, “bing.com” (as usual) to take a gander at the picture of the day. The photograph selected for June 20, 2014 was of the exterior of the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. But click on the box farthest to the left and the library opens its doors with sophisticated grandeur. This elite academic institution clearly provides its students and faculty with an inspiring setting for reading, studying, learning and curious sightseeing. What strikes me by the classically-aged interior is how the room contains as engaging a story as the books it holds. Whether the pursuit is serious or leisurely lighthearted, it’s amazing when just a room can transform you into a place and state of mind typically reserved for movies like Harry Potter.
(Photograph: John Downing/Rex, The Guardian)
Dreaming is golden.
How I Met Your World Cup Results
The 2014 World Cup Schedule for June 19th:
Colombia v. Ivory Coast (Noon, ESPN)
Uruguay v. England (3:00 p.m., ESPN)
Japan v. Greece (6:00 p.m., ESPN)
In honor of Throwback Thursday, today’s post will focus on a pop culture reference from the past (well, the relatively recent past) instead of game analysis.
When teams I’m a major a fan of are playing during the workday, the way Ted Mosby prepared himself for the Super Bowl with noise cancelling headphones and vision-limiting glasses is surprisingly accurate in how I prepare myself for the afternoon. To some degree or another, it’s how I feel in trying to prevent myself from learning World Cup results.
Some of you may think that’s an extreme measure to take for a sporting event.
Point taken.
But do you want to know what’s even crazier? Seeing your favorite player and team score without knowing it’s going to happen.
And by crazy, I meant crazy awesome.
Will the Orange Lion Roar Again?
Australia v. Netherlands (Noon, ESPN) will likely be a match juxtaposed with a tenacity for attacking the goal on the part of the Dutch following their offensive explosion against Spain and extended periods of calming possession to build team chemistry for games in the future. The expectations will be sky high for the Oranje, but if their performance doesn’t equal last Friday’s, don’t be too quick to criticize. The Dutch made their statement/published a thrilling headline, now it’s time to write the body of their story with engaging and enduring characters and flow. The Socceroos will be hoping to hop in a goal on the still developing back-three of the Netherlands, which could add some drama (for at least part of the game). Of course, let’s not discount a repeat showcase of goal-scoring wonderment by the Dutch, led by Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben. This could be the beginning of something quite golden for the men in orange…
Spain v. Chile (3:00 p.m., ESPN) is the battle for the #2 spot in Group B: period. The Spanish side is fragile, specifically mentally. The Chileans are inspired with 3 points and understand a win will all but send them through to the round of 16. However, as it’s been stated on this blog, don’t underestimate Spain. They didn’t win all those major championships the past 6 years without knowing how to rebound from a loss or setback. Nonetheless, a loss by Spain will officially end their reign as the best national team in the world.
Cameroon v. Croatia (6:00 p.m., ESPN) is likely going to see a determined Croatian side attack, attack and (you guessed it) attack a vulnerable Cameroon defense with the return of their world-class striker Mario Mandžukić. In an already hot and humid World Cup, a big win from Croatia (and its accompanying 3 points) will add some heat to the necks of the Mexicans sitting on 4 points.
Will today prove the end of Spain’s run as footballing royalty?
Can the Dutch improve on an impressive showing in their first game?
Should we learn the names of the Croatian team?
As the World Cup has already shown us just a few days into its month-long journey, anything can and will happen.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 