Archive for Beautiful Game
Bulls On Parade: Inside Soccer City For The Final
Kris Fernandes (kris@insidesoccer.ca)
is a Toronto based soccer & futsal writer for Inside Soccer Magazine. Deeply immersed in soccer fandom and culture, he has been actively involved in spreading the love of the beautiful game in a uniquely Canadian way for a decade through media coverage, administration and coaching. He covered the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and the 2008 UEFA European Championships from Austria/Switzerland for both CBC Sports Online and ISM.
It was ugly – 11 yellow cards and an expulsion – but they got the job done. Spain have finally shed the the underachievers label and have joined the champions club.
Spaniards on the pitch and in the stands were tearing it up like the bulls in Pamplona after Andres Iniesta scored the clincher in the 16th minute. It was a clinical finish in a game that was marred by shoddy officiating – yet again – and numerous missed opportunities from both squads.
The So-Called “Bronze Medal” Game
Nigel Reed
writes and broadcasts at CBC Sports
Germany’s pointless place on the ‘podium’
Congratulations to Germany for finishing third at the FIFA World Cup. In the so-called “bronze medal” game they held sway over Uruguay. Except there are no medals, and there is no point.
When will FIFA end the torture of a meaningless 3rd/4th place game between two teams who are merely following protocol? Their respective hearts ripped out just days before, the World Cup organizers force the beaten semi finalists back onto the field.
If the Germans didn’t take it seriously, why should any of the rest of us? A team composed largely of fringe players braved the atrocious elements in Port Elizabeth where only their competitive instincts saved the day.
Hasn’t Happened Since France 1998
John Molinaro
writes and broadcasts at CBC Sports
World Cup fraternity set to welcome new member
Spain did soccer fans all around the world (except in Germany, of course) a big favour Wednesday night.
Not only did La Roja’s 1-0 victory over the Germans send them through to Sunday’s final against the Netherlands in Johannesburg, but it also ensures that we will see a new name etched on the World Cup trophy.
How refreshing. Nothing against the Germans – they would have been worthy champions had they defeated the Dutch.
But from a neutral point of view, the chance to witness a country win the World Cup for the first time – something that hasn’t happened since France took the crown on home soil in 1998 – is very exciting.
It also breathes new life into a competition that is the sporting equivalent of an exclusive country club.
Complete Performance From Spain
Jason De Vos
writes and broadcasts at CBC Sports
Spain finally finds its groove
Heading into the World Cup in South Africa, Spain was heralded as legitimate title contenders. With a wealth of talent at its disposal, Spain was expected to dominate games from start to finish, seeing off opponents with relative ease.
That hasn’t been the case, however, and leading up to Wednesday’s semi-final matchup against the in-form Germans, it would be fair to say that Spain hasn’t had an easy time of things.
That all changed against Germany, though, when the real Spain decided to make its first appearance at the tournament.
Despite the narrow 1-0 margin of victory, it was a complete performance from the Spaniards. They dominated possession of the ball from the early stages of the game onwards, and they never allowed the Germans to get a foothold in the game.
