Had to do it - WC 2010 preview

AHHH! I can't do it... I swore to myself I was going to leave it... let it be... not even poke my head in on the pub blog... but god be damned curiosity and bloody fucking cats!

As of late, for those of you who don't know. I did take a venture across the pond to watch Sheffield and the lovely now Ms.Sheffield (formerly WestBrom) tie the knot, jump the broom and release some doves. It was my first trip to Italy, in any way shape or form, and I have to admit it was pretty nice. It totally changed my perspective on the boot shaped nation.

Don't get me wrong though, as far as I'm concerned they are still a bunch of diving, whining, wind up merchants who compete with the Argies on how far they can bend the rules of the game. I mean seriously only an Argie could hit someone with a car and back up and tell them it was their fault for getting in the way. HI DIEGO!

So, the question on everyone's mind, probably not, what's the WC2010 looking like for LeChat? I'm figuring it's going to be something very interesting. I've been asked on two different continents and an island, my thoughts so far. I, of course, hmmm and haaa, and try and get out of those conversations rather quickly; with the exception of ACMilan who has a way of interviewing me like a Daily Mail reporter at a press event.

Summed up... I pegging a dark horse to ask some questions this year.

Hold on, that didn't come out right. Let's take a look at the groups.

A - South Africa, France, Uruguay, Mexico
First off.. I spelled Uruguay correctly the first time. To be honest, I don't see South Africa making it out of this stage. Secondly, I think, with a bit of luck Uruguay could and will make it hard for Mexico and France.
At the end of the day - Mexico and France, no clear favorite (Allez Les Bleus)

B - Argies, Nigeria, Korea, Greece
I think this is pretty much done. Two of these squads have a good history of succeeding on the international level. The other two, I'm sorry to say, have been lucky in their runs. The only thing that could really put a damper on it, would be a finding the kryptonite that works on the Argies.
At the end of the day - Argies followed by Greeks

C - England, Estados Unidos, Algeria, Slovenia
Both England and the US have had a few players go down like zeppelins. I think one of the dark horses could come out of this group. It's hard to pick which one though, while not necessarily a group of death as everyone likes to use that stupid term. It's hard to see the two English speaking squads both moving on for me.
At the end of the day - England and someone else

D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbs
This is probably one of the tougher ones. Germany is missing a key player but they should be safe, to say the least. Ghana is also missing a key player. The Serbs put up a good fight during the run up to the cup but from what I understand, the wind may be gone from their sails. Australia is, well, a bit cute isn't it. *pinches Australia's cheeks*
At the end of the day - Germany and either Ghana or Serbs as a dark horse

E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Well with Van Der Sloot about to serve a sentence, oh wait, I mean Robben out of the Cup... well to be honest, it shouldn't have too much of a lasting effect. I have to say I'm pulling for Cameroon to do what they got to do, just so Eto'o can smile. He never smiles. Well maybe once he did.
At the end of the day - DUTCH and Cameroon

Coffee Break - Now why did I actually decide to do this, type all these things... I don't know.... By the way, does anyone know where to get a good espresso downtown. Caribou Coffee is horrendous and I don't want to go into Java Joes twice a day.

F - Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Do I really need to continue the exercise with this one? Honestly? It's all about who will come in second. Italy has the easiest draw since Simon picked up chalk and the pictures came to life. I see the cheaters burning bright for the group, the 16 and quarters but feel they will not make further than that. I wasn't really paying much attention to the other three in this training ground selection.
At the end of the day - Italia and reader's choice



G - Brasil, Other Korea, Cote d'Ivoire, Portugal
When I was a wee kitten, my mom had a thing for a certain man named Pele. I should ask my mom why she didn't just runaway and take me to Brasil. Damn her and being sensible. Of course I'd probably be running with the less than legal crowd if that did happen. Anyways, enough dreaming of beautiful Rio beaches, carnival and Ronaldhino, because none of those will be in South Africa. So I have a soft spot for Brasil, it's something that relates to my youth, as opposed to those who go to the local sports store and put on the colors because it's easily recognizable and acceptable in mainstream US of A. (le sigh) My second soft spot is Cote d'Ivoire. I think they will do well despite the loss of the Drogba. Portugal will be a non-threat as they do very poorly against their South American cousins and as long as Cote d'Ivoire don't allow them to play. The only thing I'm allowed to say about Other Korea is they will win, no matter the result. I only joke about these things. They will put up a good fight but don't have the passion or creativity to deal with the other three in their group.
At the end of the day - Brasil, Cote d'Ivoire or a surprise Portugal

H - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
I know Spain is tapped as the favorite by all the media. I think they've been in that position before... many times before. I love Spanish football, don't get me wrong but they do have this thing about choking towards the very end of the tournament. I don't know whether it's an internal thing, the longing for paella and gazpacho or something else. I think Honduras is a tough team who should do well. Switzerland and Chile could go either way, but Honduras is going to be my dark horse out of this group.
At the end of the day - Spain and Honduras

Final Whistle - I figure since World Cup has now become so cliched I might as well keep it up in the blog, no? Like I said, and probably have said once or twice, the final is going to be one of the big boys, either from Europe or South America, your choice and some one unexpected. I don't see my beloved Les Bleus making it to the final and I am hoping Domenech.. never mind I was told not to ever wish ill on someone, no matter how inept they are.

Like Eto'o said, "The question we have all the time is whether an African team is able to win the World Cup. But the real question is whether the world is ready for an African team to become champions." (guardian)

It would be nice to see Cameroon or Cote d'Ivoire take it to the final. It will finally prove that Africa, as a continent has finally, without a doubt arrived. It has to be done with style and substance though. I see both of these teams having it, on their better days.

Serbia, might just be another surprise. If they can get back up to pace, they should at least make the 8 and possibly the 4. It would also be nice to see someone like Algeria, or Uruguay make it out of the 16 as well but that's really stretching a wish.

Since, I can't keep from typing these damned things, expect some more.

Ciao!
LeChat

Champions League - Olympiakos HOME

Once again, another mid-week feature goes by and I sit at my desk steadily typing, reviewing, being all work minded and whatever else you want to call it. I won't complain about work. At least I won't complain about my work, because I'm pretty satisfied with the type of work I do. Now if they can get my pay rate correct and put me into the permanent position I might even be quite happy with the work I do.

Tuesday began with me waking up and suffering from this miserable cold. At least I am led to believe it was a cold.. wait, I still have it. It actually interfered with my Monday night hanging out with Jonfromnextdoor and ChelskiGirl. Someone thought it would be funny to text me random words at midnight.

Back to Tuesday...
I start getting a few text from a variety of the usuals:

A Certain Scouser. (yah it's going to stick now) Firstly trying to find out where exactly I was. Doing the good work was my response or something to that effect.

ChelskiGirl was keeping an eye on the Arsenal game and sending me information on that. Then a brilliant text about how Liverpool were already down by TWO!

I quietly sipped my chai while giggling with giddy glee about the possibility of Scousers losing to some Italians. I know it's not really fair but the cold medicine was catching up to my delirious mode.

I think the best one came from ACMilan, which I should explain he has an issue about losing to the Scousers some time ago on a pitch far far away. It simply said.

Pooor scousers. BWAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I have to admit having mates keeping you in the loop while you are on interweb lock-down at work is top notch. Much respect to all of you.

I did send a consolation text to A Certain Scouser.

Later that night I got another message from DJM about how Liverpool looked like a bunch of high schoolers playing football. I haven't had time to catch the highlights but it is hard to believe a team with that much class talent could crumble under the pressure of the Italians.

I spent a good part of the evening downing massive amounts of tea with honey. Hopefully by this weekend I am better. Planning on DCUnited - Chivas game Saturday night and it would be a royale pain in the Arse if I don't feel well enough to go. I'm not a super huge fan of MLS to begin with but hey the tickets were free.

In sore throat agony, yours truly,

~Le Chat

OH OH OH Breaking News Kroneke (USA)has 28.7% of Arsenal shares, just 1.2% more and he gets to do the takeover. This is getting interesting.
OH other Breaking News MARADONA is asking god to lend him a hand!
Yah, REALLY.

Internationals/WC2010 Qualifiers

Always, these things, mucking up the beginning of the season. Don't get me wrong, when June/July comes around I'll be all about some internationals. Right now, it's club not country. Actually, in reality, it's always club before country.

Alas, my brilliant plan for the weekend was to stay in, maybe catch a match or two on GolTV and do stuff around the homestead. However, other people and their random plans seem to do me in. Which now has made me an associate member of some Lithuanian society. I wonder if I can put that on my CV?

Saturday was the only real day for any football. I wake up with a splitting headache from the Lithuanian porters or maybe it was the weather. I can't really tell anymore. I decided I was hungry and headed down to the pub. The weather wasn't really that bad and I knew the Scotland game was on and the England game would shortly follow. Did I say breakfast sounded good at this point?

I headed towards the pub when I found out ChelskiGirl was doing her farmer's market thing. In my mind, it was a good idea to walk over and say hello, grab a coffee and head back to the pub afterwords for a box-tie.

I poked my head in while walking by, nothing exciting was happening, said hello to Irish and B-Dawg then took the long journey to Harbor East. I wish I knew the mileage but lets just say I wasn't really prepared for the walk. It became hot and annoying real quick, but I knew there would be an ice coffee at the end.

There are some things you do for your mates, walking across the waterfront to say "Hi" should be one of them. It wasn't as bad as I am making it out to be. I got to the market, sat around and people gawked while sipping on some icy coffee goodness before finally deciding it was too hot for me.

When I got back to the pub, there was a weird assortment of people. The bar was full but not crowded. I ended up grabbing a table in the back, since most of the normals were outside sipping their mimosas and the Scots were well involved in their game of chance.

For Scotland, I think it's always a game of chance. It wasn't a bad match but nothing to get too excited about either. However, my breakfast box-tie was delicious. There is something to be said about potatoes, eggs, bangers and cheese, all together now. I'm getting hungry thinking about it.

Now I remember what had the day being kind of odd. The Scousers were nicking pints of blood with the Red Cross outside. A couple of the ones I know kept asking me to give but I politely declined. I am not a giving blood sort of person.

ChelskiGirl and DJM, one of the Chelskiboys, decide to show up for the England friendly. We all end up at the far end of the bar next to some weird guy, whom I assume was a Chelski supporter of some kind as well. He kept asking random questions about the ban, not in a way where he was going to spout forth knowledge, but in a way where it was something he just read in the paper this morning.

Basically, it was a mellow, have a few and call it a day type of day. The pub had a strange crowd, almost as strange as the Scotland match. It wasn't busy but there were people around. The three of us basically joked around about how powerful Kazakhstan was going to be this year and that there is a shirt that say "I'd rather walk alone." This is a must buy, just to annoy the Scouser friends.

The blood drive did provide some entertainment. The Scousers, I should say RedScousers, who did give would come in looking like death warmed over and asking why aren't you guys giving blood. There was usually a laugh, a look at you, and some other funny remark coming from the three of us.

I guess all in all it wasn't too bad.

I did learn something though. ROONEY now dives on the International level as well. He is a cheating little bastard. I don't ever want to hear that guy call any one out for diving again.

I also learned that putting up a facebook post calling Maradona a fat c**t will get you in trouble with some people. I guess they didn't find me saying "Ok I won't call him fat anymore," as the apology they were looking for.

Til something interesting happens.

~Le Chat

P.S. For your viewing pleasure - Maradona is still a fat c**t