Henry Scoring Against the Tiny Tots, as Usual

It never gets old.

We here at the Pint would also like to remind everyone that this year will be the 50th anniversary of the last time the spuds won the league. Quite the drought, eh?

Nike Curse and Predictions

Notice that none of the players featured here have had a good World Cup. Ronaldinho and Theo weren't even selected to their squads and the others have had shit tournaments.

Drogba broke his arm and was ineffective. Rooney was shit, as was Ronaldo. Biggest names, most ineffective performances. Pique, Fabregas, and Iniesta were in the commercial as well... Fabregas hasn't played a part of any significance.

Even fucking Federer lost at Wimbeldon after the commercial.

Not a good sign. But Paul the octopus picked Spain...

He's 7 for 7.

I pick Spain. Our Captain America is supporting the Oranje. Let the best team win.

Bring it on.



P.S. Howard Webb better not fuck this up.

The Case for Uruguay

Uruguay, Netherlands, Germany, Spain... the FINAL FOUR. And yet, everyone seems to think it's a final three. But don't you dare forget about the U. There's a few reasons not to underestimate this team:

1) They're playing the Netherlands. The Neds have been inconsistent and have yet to play 2 good halfs in ANY of their games. In addition, this is the first game they've played in the tourney where they are truly under pressure (they were the underdogs against Brasil, but not this time...). Bottom line, if you were Uruguay and you were able to pick which of these other 3 teams you were able to play, you'd pick the Orange every time.

2) Diego Forlan. This guy has been the player of the tourney hands down. (I know some of you are thinking, 'David Villa. Hello?') But you watch the games, no one has been more dangerous with his opportunities than Forlan. Nobody. And I have a new nickname for this guy: Mr. Jabulani. He seems to be the only player who's figured the thing out.

3) Fear the wounded animal. Everyone sees this game as a cinch for the Neds (especially with Suarez out for Uruguay) but I honestly don't see it. Suarez isn't why they've been so great defensively. Suarez isn't why Forlan has been the most dangerous long range scoring threat in the cup... Fear the wounded animal. And then, for the final, Suarez is back and... well...

La mano 'salvadora'/Super Saturday

GREATEST. HANDBALL. EVER.

Uruguay are in the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time in forty years. They can thank their co-best player Luis Suarez for the best professional foul I have ever seen.

Who knows if it was anything more than just instinct that made him use his hands or if he conscientiously did it knowing it was his country's only chance for survival.
I believe he knew that no matter what he could not let the ball cross the line. Time was up and there would be no chance for an equalizer. It was a no-brainer. You could see when Suarez walked off the pitch he was gutted to go, but at least he knew he gave his team their only chance of survival at the cost of his tournament life.

They are calling this act La Mano Salvadora "the saving hand" in Uruguay and really all those who call Suarez a dirty cheat need to learn the rules. He knew the consequences and paid the price. All Gyan had to do was bury another penalty and they would be the first African team to ever reach the Semifinals.

What a gamble, and how it paid off. Just enough to give them a chance, and Ghana choked. With more than enough chances they were unable to put it away and based on the run of play you can't say they deserved to win.


On another note "Loco" Abreu is know for this type of penalties and had they done their homework Ghana would have known his affinity for such cheekiness.

You wouldn't find the Germans lacking such a vital piece of information so readily available on youtube. Just saying...

Suarez's hand ball resulted in the greatest moment for Uruguayan football in recent history. The end of that match was brilliant, all the drama one could wish for. I didn't care who won in the end because the spectacle was so captivating. Fucking brilliant.

Onto tomorrow. The biggest showdown of the tournament so for. Who to root for?

The Germans?





Or maybe the Argentinians?





Sure makes it hard to decide, but I think this guy will make the difference.




Oh yea, Spain should handle business as well. But really we should all be looking forward to Maradonna's antics on the sideline and a full blooded, intense match. Can't think of a better way to start the 4th of July weekend.

Another one bites the dust...

Welcome to our world 'Sports Guy'... or perhaps I should say, 'World Sports Guy'

(ahahahahahahahaaaaa) [ <---maniacal laugh ]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100701

Represent

Listen.



more info (including an interview with Rivers Cuomo) at US Soccer:

http://www.ussoccer.com/Multimedia/Media-Center.aspx#/id=bdfe7bc4-e137-4629-8bfc-23e1ba26b677

. . .

And, after you've listened to the song, think about this... One of these four countries WILL be playing in the World Cup Semi-finals (!): Ghana, USA, Uruguay, South Korea.

Now ask yourself the question: Why not US?

Bet he's a Rittle Ronery Right Now

Wow. That must be embarrassing. Not really working out as you planned huh? I can think of seven reasons why you should crawl back into your lair and turn off the tv.

Good thing you don't allow your people to watch tv or read newspapers because I am sure it is going to be brutal. And here is the thing Kimmy, your team is not a feel good story and people don't feel sorry for them because you are a douche and everyone hates you. Sorry to be the one to break the news, but I thought it might be pertinent information.

Well, at least your fans have put in a good showing and been in full voice... errr, wait they were compared by some pundits to accountants attending a seminar for their spirited display at the Brazil match. Why would they be so somber and apathetic? Maybe its because they are fucking Chinese!




You sneaky bastard, paying for your azn brethren to go in your stead since you wont allow anyone out of the country. So the claims are that you hired Chinese performers and actors and sent 1000 of them to South Africa.

These claims are being disputed with some others saying they are select military men and ex-pats that comprise the followers. I believe the truth is somewhere in between.

Ronaldo broke his duck with a comical goal and everyone and their mother put one past the hapless North Koreans. Their tournament life is now over and likely will have some frustrations taken out on them by the big mean Ivorians that will want to get at least a win in the first African-hosted World Cup.

It's been a tough week for Senor Jong-Il, and I don't think it is going to get any better. Be ready to see more of this to come...





Chile has just defeated the ten man Swiss 1-0 and fair play to them, they attacked and overcame the Swiss' negative tactics to take all the points. Behrami got red carded and I am happy to say it could have happened to a more deserving prick. He is a dirty player, good but dirty, and it was a soft red but karma's a bitch.

Spain now have a job to do and i believe they will be up to the task. Fabregas should get a start today because of a niggling injury to Iniesta, and Torres should be on from the start so I expect a beatdown of Honduras. I have a Honduran coworker who is a big talker and I hope to let La Furia Roja silence him today. If I catch him early enough I am going to try to get him to put his money where his mouth is, but I am not sure he is that foolish. Time to head in. Hopefully a good match ahead.