meyers7
You Talkin’ To Me?
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For any of you interested in some good soccer (football, futbol 
), the final for the Confederations Cup is this Sunday on ESPN at 6:00 PM (in Brazil so no dramatic time change). The host Brazil takes on reigning World Cup and European Cup Champion, Spain.
The semis took place over the past 2 days. Brazil defeating Uruguay 2-1 in an exiting and somewhat contentious match. Spain had to go to Kicks From The Mark (Penalty Kicks) after 120 min of a scoreless game with Italy, winning 7-6. Good game, quite a few chances, even though it was scoreless.
The final will pit Spain's Tiki-taka (small passing, movement, ball possession) against Brazil's Samba (Joga Bonito - lots of flair, the beautiful game) football - although not as much as they used to. Spain uses many players from Barcelona who also play the Tiki-taka style also (Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Busquets, Pique - who is Shakira's partner, and Fabregas). And for the ladies, Google Jesus Navas eyes, that should be enough to get you to tune in.
Brazil is lead by the wonder kid, Neymar. A young (21 yo), rising star (think the next Ronaldinho, the next Messi), who just transferred from the Brazilian power Santos to the world power Barcelona for around 57 million Euros. Yes, Sunday he will be playing against many of his soon to be club teammates. Other players to watch from The Selecao (The Selection - their most popular nickname), Oscar (another youngster), Fred, Hulk (and yes the name fits), David Luiz (you'll recognize him with his Sideshow Bob hairstyle) and Dani Alves (another Barcelona player).
If Spain were to win, they would hold 3 of the biggest titles in the world at the same time. The Confederations Cup is a small (8 teams) tournament played the year before the World Cup in the host nation, kind of as a warm up. It involves the current WC Champ (Spain), host nation (Brazil) and the winners of the six confederations; UEFA (Europe, Italy since Spain is already invited), CONMOBEL (S. America, Uruguay), CONCACAF (North and Central America, Mexico), CAF (Africa, Nigeria), AFC (Asia, Japan), and OFC (Oceania, Tahiti, how they made it, I have no idea). Interesting with Tahiti, they have 1 professional player on their National team. But what an experience for the rest of the team to say they played Spain in a game. (Yea they got beaten like a drum, 10-0, but what a story to tell your kids.)
So for a taste of next years World Cup, tune in on Sunday. Should be a very good game.
), the final for the Confederations Cup is this Sunday on ESPN at 6:00 PM (in Brazil so no dramatic time change). The host Brazil takes on reigning World Cup and European Cup Champion, Spain. The semis took place over the past 2 days. Brazil defeating Uruguay 2-1 in an exiting and somewhat contentious match. Spain had to go to Kicks From The Mark (Penalty Kicks) after 120 min of a scoreless game with Italy, winning 7-6. Good game, quite a few chances, even though it was scoreless.
The final will pit Spain's Tiki-taka (small passing, movement, ball possession) against Brazil's Samba (Joga Bonito - lots of flair, the beautiful game) football - although not as much as they used to. Spain uses many players from Barcelona who also play the Tiki-taka style also (Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Busquets, Pique - who is Shakira's partner, and Fabregas). And for the ladies, Google Jesus Navas eyes, that should be enough to get you to tune in.
Brazil is lead by the wonder kid, Neymar. A young (21 yo), rising star (think the next Ronaldinho, the next Messi), who just transferred from the Brazilian power Santos to the world power Barcelona for around 57 million Euros. Yes, Sunday he will be playing against many of his soon to be club teammates. Other players to watch from The Selecao (The Selection - their most popular nickname), Oscar (another youngster), Fred, Hulk (and yes the name fits), David Luiz (you'll recognize him with his Sideshow Bob hairstyle) and Dani Alves (another Barcelona player).
If Spain were to win, they would hold 3 of the biggest titles in the world at the same time. The Confederations Cup is a small (8 teams) tournament played the year before the World Cup in the host nation, kind of as a warm up. It involves the current WC Champ (Spain), host nation (Brazil) and the winners of the six confederations; UEFA (Europe, Italy since Spain is already invited), CONMOBEL (S. America, Uruguay), CONCACAF (North and Central America, Mexico), CAF (Africa, Nigeria), AFC (Asia, Japan), and OFC (Oceania, Tahiti, how they made it, I have no idea). Interesting with Tahiti, they have 1 professional player on their National team. But what an experience for the rest of the team to say they played Spain in a game. (Yea they got beaten like a drum, 10-0, but what a story to tell your kids.)
So for a taste of next years World Cup, tune in on Sunday. Should be a very good game.
