Showing posts with label FIFA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA. Show all posts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

4 years on... the 2014 FIFA Soccer World Cup kicks off tonight!

What is it about the Soccer World Cup that gets the world so pumped up?
I mean any sports world cup event is a big deal, but there is something extra special about the Soccer World Cup that just gets people into a frenzy.

Memories of the 2010 event which was held here in South Africa are still fresh in my mind, and what an amazing event it was.
I can hardly believe that today, 4 years on, the next one is here already - Google just had to get in on the act of course :)


Don't miss live coverage of the opening ceremony on SuperSport 3 tonight @ 20:15.
It's going to be awesome - which team is your money on?

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Monday, September 10, 2012

Can Hungary ruffle some Dutch feathers in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers...?

I don't normally blog about anything even mildly sport-related, mainly because I am not very sporting - I mean I could only make the "C" team for soccer back in primary school...
Let's just say that my sporting talents are not quite world-class... :)

Regardless, I do enjoy watching sport, and there are some sporting events in particular that grab my attention, and the FIFA Soccer World Cup is one of them.
Although the next instalment of this event only takes place in 2014 in Brazil, the qualifying games recently kicked off around the world.
One such game takes place in Budapest tomorrow (11 September 2012), between Hungary and The Netherlands.
Now if you have any knowledge of European names, then you will know why this interests me.
My name in my bio somewhere down the right of this blog, gives away the fact that I am, at least in part, Hungarian :)

Now on the face of it, this should be a walkover for The Netherlands - let's not forget that these guys were runners-up in the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament.
Also, the Hungarian national soccer team has failed to qualify for a major tournament's finals since 1986, so that just can't be good...

On the flip side, if we look back in history, Hungary boasts a respectable record on the soccer field, with 3 x Olympic gold medals (1952, 1964, 1968), and 2 x FIFA World Cup runner-up titles (1938, 1954) to their name.
Way back before my time, somewhere in the 1950's, there existed a Hungarian national soccer team that were nicknamed "The Golden Team" or "The Magical Magyars".
They are credited as having "re-invented football" in the post World War II era - as an example of this, click here to read about what became known as "The Match of the Century" - England vs. Hungary, in 1953 at Wembley Stadium, where Hungary gave the English a serious lesson in football.
If you have some serious time on your hands, why not just watch the whole match here :)

Since then of course, unfortunately there hasn't been much to speak of in terms of their achievements.

In recent years though, after decades of dormancy, the Hungarian national soccer team has had some surprise and promising successes against the likes of the Greek and Italian soccer teams.
This, coupled to some decent up and coming talent in its national squad, brings some hope that the Hungarians will actually qualify for the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2014, and perhaps even offer the Dutch some decent competition in their game tomorrow...

I shall be watching, and hoping... :)

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

How was your World Cup experience...? What did you think of the Final...?

At the start of last night's Soccer World Cup final, I really was indifferent in terms of who I wanted to lift the trophy.
As the game progressed, however, it became increasingly apparent how dirty the Dutch were playing.
Sure they play a more "physical" game - I get that, but guys this is soccer, not rugby.

I also felt that all the cards that were handed out were justified - well done Howard Webb.
I had the chance to see Howard Webb in action at the Italy - Slovakia game as well, and I must say that the man has significant presence on the field.
To keep it together under immense pressure from 22 pumped up players on a volatile field (and 90 000 crazed fans!!), is a feat to be admired and a job which I must say, it takes a brave man to do.

Viva Espana and Viva Howard Webb!


Zakumi, the official mascot for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Well done South Africa - we hosted a kick-ass World Cup, we silenced all the doomsday prophets and changed perceptions worldwide.
I don't think that we even fully realize the process of transformation that has been put in motion in our country as a result of this massive event...

As one of the ushers at Soccer City was chanting to the queue at the Rea Vaya station: "Forwards ever, backwards never!"

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

A polite letter to Sep entitled: "How to fix soccer"...

Dear Sep,

Thank you for bringing the beautiful game to our beautiful country in 2010.
We have all had huge fun supporting our teams and generally being massively festive (and a bit crazy) during this incredible event.

Even so, in light of some of the decidedly questionable events surrounding ref decisions during some matches, my mates and I have put together a list of what we feel are innovative, forward-thinking and downright brilliant ideas for you to implement in the sport in future.
We would love for you to take a quick squizz through our (awesome) list of suggestions, and hey who knows - maybe it will sort out some of the niggles that are most likely keeping you up at night...

So without further ado, here goes:
  • Handballs allowed (no grabbing or holding the ball, but pushing or punching it around is fine) - we feel that this would speed up play significantly and allow any player to become a goalie at will!
    Imagine that - a defender finds himself on his goal line with a cracker rocketing in towards his goal (a la Suarez...;) and voila - he can just punch it out.
    No red card, no penalty. It's magic!
  • Boring play should be punished with a combination of red / yellow cards (depending on the level of boredom), e.g. in a prolonged 0-0 battle, the most boring players should be sent off, ending their reign of boredom and reviving excitement in supporters and the other players. Fantastic!
  • Remove the goal keeper altogether. How unfair is it when a brilliant strike is met by some over-dressed gloved-up guy hogging the goal mouth??? GET OUT OF THE WAY MAN!! THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE NET!!
  • Okay okay, maybe that last one was a bit extreme... but at least make it illegal for the keeper to handle the ball. Now that would be cool - just imagine a penalty where the goalie has to use everything but his hands to keep the ball out. This is good stuff man.
  • If players decide that the refs' decisions are repeatedly unacceptable or unfair, they are allowed to take him down right there on the field.
    What's that Mr Ref? A foul? Well now I don't quite agree with you there and *WHAM* right in the spleen.
    New ref please!
  • If FIFA predicts beforehand that a match will be boring, they go straight into a penalty shootout from the get-go. What a way to avoid wasted time and boredom!
Thank you for taking the time to consider our list of (incredible) suggestions above.
As inspiration bites, we will likely add further new rule suggestions and send them over - we trust that you will share our enthusiasm, in the name of improving the sport exponentially.

Yours sincerely,

Hardcore South African Soccer Aficionados Society (HSASAS).

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Sep Blatter offers an apology for the ref errors...

It seems that Mr Blatter has offered an apology regarding the blatant reffing errors that we have seen in recent World Cup matches... not that it offers much consolation to the teams who were on the receiving end...!

In addition he mentions that the introduction of goal-line technology would be discussed at a meeing next month in Cardiff... holding thumbs!!

Check it out:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/WorldCup/TournamentNews/Blatter-deplores-ref-mistakes-20100629

The FIFA debate continues...

Between radio, TV, people around me and media in general, one of the main topics that is currently on tongue-tips seems to be the errors and controversial decisions that the FIFA refs are making during this soccer world cup.

Yup, you know all about it by now - I was going to put up the FIFA logo here but I dare not, for fear of persecution Ã  la Kulula...!

The bottom line is that there have been some shocker decisions in games played during this world cup - sure it's nothing new. Refs are human, and they miss things, or they get it wrong sometimes.
Soccer aficionados will be quick to point out that "it has always been like that",
or "that's just the way the game is"...

Come on - if "that's just the way the game is", then why bother even watching?
Why bother supporting a sport which is clearly unfair?
The other argument is that the use of technology in the game to assist refs "would not stay true to the game..." or some other generic bull.
Honestly, this is the frikkin FIFA WORLD CUP guys! This is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet and FIFA can't pull their finger out to make the sport credible?

Here's a thought - FIFA should use a panel of TV-refs, and for every suspected goal scored, the ref gets a message in his earpiece - goal / no goal. End of story.
Forget fouls, penalties and the like - purely for goals. At the end of the day goals are probably the most controversial point here - need I even mention the Germany vs. England game this weekend...? :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

Italy vs. Slovakia in pictures... thoughts on the match?


So Italy is on their way home after a dismal performance at the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

All in all Italy did not put on the much-anticipated performance of the World Champion Azzurri team that took the trophy in 2006.
They did not really shape up in the first half, and only kicked into gear once they were 2-0 down!
We had some superb seats, and had the privilege of being positioned right behind the Italian bench - a great spot from which to watch a nervously-pacing Buffon... :)

Granted, again - Italy did not play well and did not really deserve to go through. Even so, a fair dig must be made at the Slovakia keeper, who messed around a great deal (that's putting it nicely) during the second half especially.
From rolling on the ground for no apparent reason (with an impatient ref hovering above him, ordering him up), to frolicking around in the corner of the net after the second Italian goal, to generally wasting huge wads of time (yes yes I know that this is just "part of the game"), from my perspective at least, his performance was decidedly un-sporting and unprofessional.
I have seen replays of the alleged "punch in the face" in the Slovakian goals - sure the punch did not look quite strong enough to floor the Italian player, but watching the game live from the sidelines, you could sense that the goalie was just doing his best to stuff around, for want of a more insulting term to use.

Again, soccer lovers out there will be quick to point out that all of this is, and always has been a part of the game of soccer, but it sure is a bitter pill to have to swallow when your team are on the receiving end.
So it's Buon Viaggio to the Azzurri, and congratulations to Slovakia :)

Here are a few snaps I took while at the action-packed game:
Early birds... the place was empty when we got there :)

Canavarro and the boys checking out the pitch before the game.

Singing their songs...


Marchetti warming up, not that it did him any good...


Buffon looking confident for his team... before the game that is!


Pirlo on the field before the game.


Lippi offers up some advice to Fabio Quagliarella at half time.


The eyes say it all... the Italian bench was a picture of despair towards the end of the game.


Too little, too late, as Pirlo warms up to try and salvage the game for the Azzurri...


Buffon leaning heavily on the drinks bin as he watches his boys go down.


2nd-Half action.


Last minute action...


It's almost over as Buffon and Gatusso share a few (nervous) words...


Pointing into the air 'aint gonna change nothing Mr. Gatusso!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Even the Google Streetview guy is blowing a Vuvuzela...!

By now it is old takkie that Google Streetview is active in JHB and elsewhere in South Africa (and the world of course).

Google are always on top of their game, and in the spirit of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, their little guy who you drag around in Streetview is even blowing a red Vuvuzela!

Check it out - bottom right of the picture:

Monday, June 21, 2010

I got me a Flag Tag!

You got a what? A Flag Tag - that's what!

It's that hovering South African flag that floats up at the top left of my blog - it just helps to "spread the feva!", as they say on www.flagtag.co.za. :)

Head on over there to get your own Flag Tag now - you can choose a Flag Tag for any of the countries competing in the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. 

Super cool!

Watch how the ref "asks" Luis Fabiano if he handled the ball in last night's game...!

Soccer City was abuzz last night in the match between Brazil and Ivory Coast, and I was very lucky to have been there.
Watching Brazil play is always a treat, but I watched a Youtube video this morning which shows the ref smiling and actually asking Luis Fabiano if he handled the ball in order to score his goal...(after the goal had been awarded)!

This kinda makes you wonder what the heck is going on?
The ref must have at least suspected that there was a handball, if he actually took the time to jokingly ask Luis Fabiano if a handball was involved...?

Don't get me wrong - Brazil were the better team by far and the totally deserved to win, but incidents like this cast an interesting light on the referees and linesmen who actually control the game.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The coolest online 2010 World Cup Calendar...

Click the link below - someone with a serious amount of time put this gem together to follow all the games, teams, venues and dates in the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup:

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

Monday, June 14, 2010

Did you know that you can collect your World Cup tickets at OR Tambo International Airport...?

I was cringing at the prospect of heading into Sandon this week to collect my World Cup tickets... Apparently the queues there have been the stuff of nightmares.

Then yesterday I heard a useful tip, that there is an un-documented FIFA ticket collection point at the OR Tambo International Airport!
Not entirely convinced, I called the airport last night and they confirmed that this is in fact true.

So I headed over to the airport this morning, and in all of about 10 minutes I was on my way out, smile on face and tickets in hand!
So if you want to save yourself a bit of "Sandton stress", head to OR Tambo International Airport and go to International Arrivals (the huge circular area with the giant soccer ball hanging overhead).
Then get in the lift and go up to level 2. As you exit the lift, you will see the FIFA ticketing signs on the opposite side of the level.
If you purchased your tickets with a credit card, or if you have the barcoded card which came with the application form, all you have to do is scan your card and your tickets are printed straight away.

Now aren't you glad you read this before you wasted a day queueing in Sandton? :)

Google Streetview is alive and well in Johannesburg... even on cellphones!

Almost everyone has heard about Google Streetview by now - and if you haven't, it is Google's way of peeping into backyards all over the world :)
Basically Google sent out a whole lot of Google vehicles with special 360-degree roof-mounted cameras, to take photos of roads and highways in various areas of the world. 
As far as I know they started off in the USA of course, and then moved onto Europe.

More recently, and in time for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Google invaded South Africa with the result that most of Johannesburg is now available to view using Google Maps.
I tried out the Google Maps mobile app, and the results were spectacular. 
No matter which road I chose in JHB, whether a major highway or a tiny back road, Streetview popped up in all it's glory, revealing Johannesburgers going about their daily lives while Google stealthily went about their way, imaging every piece of road in the city that they could access.

Interestingly, all vehicle number plates are blurred out, as is all vehicle branding, as far I could see anyway.

In the spirit of the World Cup, I took these cellphone screenshots of Google spying on Soccer City...

...and these near OR Tambo International Airport (that's the new Gautrain track overhead).

Did you notice the shadow in the last pic? It clearly shows the upright camera atop the Google vehicle.
Can you imagine the amount of work / logistics / effort that went into this? 

Google just continues to amaze... what's next I wonder?

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Just in case you didn't get to see Sandton today at 12:00...

It was a crazy, crazy day today in Jo'burg... and that is one MOERSE understatement :) (if you are not sure what "MOERSE" means, click here to find out :))

12:00 today heralded the arrival of an absolute flood of noise, as the whole city gorged itself on a Vuvuzela orgy... for want of a better description!
No matter where you were, Vuvu's were audible all round - isn't it just awesome??

Sandton, I am told (for I was too faint-of-heart to brave it :)) was insane, and if you needed to get anywhere near Sandton today, it was simply not going to happen.
The cause of the all the commotion of course, was a Bafana Bafana street parade, attracting thousands of loyal supporters who wanted to show their dedication to the national team.

In case you have not already seen the many photos doing the rounds, check these out:



Bafana Bafana are to face Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup this Friday, at 16:00 (GMT +2).
The game will be played at Soccer City in Soweto, Johannesburg.

Friday, June 4, 2010

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