Thursday 24 July 2014

Brazil National football team is a farce.

Brazilian football team is a farce inasmuch as it has always been assured this football team do play "jogo bonito", that Brazil render enthralling performances, that its footballers are magical and splendid... yet it is an utterly lie. Pele, Zico, Garrincha, Romario or Ronaldo no longer play and it has been decades (30 years) since Brazilian Football Team abandoned an offensive football style in order to obtain a vile good result. 

1994 WORLD CUP BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL TEAM
I remember 1994 World Cup in United States, everybody praised Brazilian Football Team (as always) and they did win the World Cup but how?. Let´s remember it, in penalties against a hampered Italy which had Roberto Baggio (its most notable player back then) injured, he did fail to score a penalty. Baresi, its great sweeper, was also injured, he also missed a decisive penalty. 


BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM
Brazilian National Team
1994 Brazilian National Team

Brazil did possessed an extraordinary striker who was imaginative and capable of inventing goals where there was nothing, Romario, his association with Bebeto was devastating. In addition, Brazil did have a goalkeeper who was in form, Taffarel, who prevented Brazil from defeat on several occasions. The rest? 8 walls, tough, hard players, gladiators obsessed to hinder any rival´s intention, players like Mauro Silva, Dunga or Mazinho, fast defenders too but obsessed as well with order. Where did the magic and the exquisiteness of Brazil rest?. Within black and white videos from a golden gone epoch.

                 1998 WORLD CUP BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL TEAM
In 1998 everything was more and less the same, instead of Romario Brazil did have Ronaldo,  more potency, less technique, the same effectiveness, equal scoring results. Brazil players were exactly the same with the same goalkeeper too. In semifinals they did beat The Netherlands on penalties, the saving grace of Taffarel was decisive one more time. The day Ronaldo did play bad (do remember his epileptic attacks in the changing room prior to start the match against France) it was the day Brazil lost, three-nil against France, the host team (although we should not praised France, they did no play good either. Remember the lucky 1-0 against Paraguay, its winning on penalties against Italy and the semifinal with two goals of Thuram against Croatia that starting leading the match but we are talking about Brazil today, there will be other times when we will critize happily France.) 

Brazilian Football Team
 1998 Brazilian Team

2002 World Cup BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL TEAM
In 2002 England had to loose in a ludicrous way, otherwise, English tabloids do not have juicy stories to wake up its citizens every morning but instead of losing on penalties they did it thanks to a silly action of Seaman, the goalkeeper with a moustache on who gave away a major European title to Spanish side Real Zaragoza back in the Nineties. Seaman needed to give Brazil the victory as we all know, nobody wants to see Brazil losing as they play pure spectacle. The worst is that many still think Ronaldinho is a genius to lob the goal like this thus scoring the goal which eliminated England.

 BRAZIL 2002 World Cup Ronaldinho-Seaman
Ronaldinho Brazil

Such Brazilian team had a magic trident, something they do not have nowadays, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho but they were still playing defensively, trusting on the quality of their three strikers and the individual technique of each of these 3 genius but defending shamelessly. I do not blame them, with such three players it had sense. In the final,  Germany (they did not play good either but they have decency as they do not lie over its greatness nor sell out unbelievable fables) was so tired that its goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (who had brought them to the finals) gave away the first goal to Ronaldo and the final was on track to make Brazil prevail.

2002 World Cup Final
 Oliver Kahn after giving away 2002 World Cup Final 

What is more, the only good player capable of destabilise a football match Germany did have, Michael Ballack (who lost that year German Cup, Champions League final and was second on the German domestic league, the biggest loser record of recent football history) could no play because of being suspended and Germany was without its major reference as Ballack was the only player who add something remarkably different to Die Mannschaft in that World Cup. What would have happened if on such final Ronaldo could have no played? 1994 likewise, Brazil won a World Cup playing defensively, the players were aware of that, rest of the world nor perhaps because we are obsessed to see Brazil as if they were playing as a Hollywood movie would love.

Ronaldo´s haircut 2002 World Cup
Ronaldo and his stupid haircut back to 2002 World Cup

BRAZIL 2006 WORLD CUP
It is always said that in sports, justice finally comes and although sometimes you have been stolen, other times gives you what you deserve. In 2006 Brazil keep playing the same style but the players had bad performances, Ronaldinho did not appear albeit everybody waited on him and Ronaldo was no longer the player who was able to win on his own any football match. Brazil was eliminated in Quarter-finals against France, if you play defensively trusting everything on the talent of 2 or 3 players but these players are no outstanding you may lose. Brazil, the great favourite alongside Germany, was eliminated before time.


Ronaldinho World Cup
Ronaldinho failed playing 2006 World Cup


2010 WORLD CUP
In 2010 The Netherlands took revenge over the unlucky eliminations against Brazil in 1994 and 1998 World Cup editions, Brazil was eliminated in Quarter- finals without the luck other times had and without the key factor, true good players of quality like Romario or Ronaldo and with no paramount squads as they did apparently have in the times of Pele or in the 1970s. The Netherlands won.
Brazil Football Team
 2014 World Cup

Why should we cheat on children with urban legends about legendary Brazilian footballers who do no really exist? Why we do no say clearly that Brazil play defensively? Scolari is the coach he is and he loves to play a defensive football, there is not a problem with that. For instance, Carlos Alberto Parreira or Dunga were Brazilian coaches, professionals who bet on order before talent. There is not nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion. In fact, Brazil can preen itself with its own World Cup record. However, we ought to say the truth. Indeed, this false notion of Brazil playing like a fantastic team inside a video game even creates unreachable expectations over the current Brazilian football players who are mired in frustration because they know they cannot be compared to players from Pele times, or the individual quality of Rivaldo, Romario, Ronaldo or Ronaldino. Anybody who analyses football a little bit and doubt over big headlines and marketing campaigns would reach a similar conclusion. Hope this thought-provoking article can make you obtain one of your own. 


(This was written in Spanish after 2014 Brazil World Cup started but only when Group Stage concluded. As you might know, Brazil ended 2014 World Cup badly, thereby it is easy that Brazil changes its style in due course. 

You can read the original story here Brazil Do share, rate or comment.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Germany National Football Team

Germany beat 3 World Cup Champions in a row, France, Brazil and Argentina scoring 9 goals and only allowing one to win another World Cup title. Germany Football Team has won 4 World Cups being runners-up other 4 times. Still, they have ended in the 3rd position other four times thereby we can assure German National Football team is the best ever. So proud Germans are that Angela Merkel render a special visit to her boys in order to congratulate the new World Cup winners. Besides this picture of Angela Merkel you can fin the amazing record of Germany National Football Team throughout World Cup  and European Championship history.

Angela Merkel Germany National Football Team
Angela Merkel visits Germany National Football Team

GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM IN WORLD CUP HISTORY
Uruguay 1930 Did no enter
Italy 1934 Third Place
France 1938 First Round
Brazil 1950 Banned
Switzerland 1954 Champion
Sweden 1958 Fourth Place
Chile 1962 Quarter-Finals
England 1966 Runners-Up
Mexico 1970 Third Place
Germany 1974 Champion
Argentina 1978 Knock-out stage
Spain 1982 Runners-Up
Mexico 1986 Runners-Up
Italy 1990 Champion
USA 1994 Quarter-Finals
France 1998 Quarter-Finals
Korea and Japan 2002 Runners-Up
Germany 2006 Third Place
South Africa 2010 Third Place
Brazil 2014 Champion

Overall: Champion:4 Times Runners-Up: 4 Times

GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
France 1960 Did no participate
Spain 1964 Did not participate
Italy 1968 Did Not play
Belgium 1972 Champion
Yugoslavia 1976 Runner-Up
Italy 1980 Champion
France 1984 First Round
Germany 1988 Semi-Final
Sweden 1992 Runner-Up
England 1996 Champion
Belgium and The Netherlands 2000 Group Stage
Portugal 2004 Group Stage
Austria and Switzerland 2008 Runners-Up
Poland and Ukraine 2012 Semifinals

Overall: Germany has won 3 times being Runners-Up other 3 times

German National Team record
Germany National Football Team

Germany National Football Team

Do you think Germany National Football Team is the best National Football Team ever? Do you consider other teams to be more relevant than Die Mannschaft?

Do share, rate or comment and stay Tune.
Sincerely.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Is Lebron James mad?

Lebron James
 Lebron James  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When everything seemed some kind of strategy so that improve Miami Heat  squad or to earn so much more money it has turned out to be an historical come back. Lebron James is not to play in the famous city of New York, he is not to play with Kobe Bryant either and he is not to break more records with Miami Heat. Lebron James moves back to his natal state Ohio. He is to play again for Cleveland Cavaliers with whom he did play a NBA final against San Antonio Spurs. Notwithstanding the humiliating final score (4-0) only to have played a NBA final with a loser team like Cleveland Cavaliers was remarkable and awe-inspiring.

At first, I thought that the decision of Lebron James was a crazy one, yet little by little I foresee that Lebron James can achieve something memorable as NBA Eastern Conference is not so close as Western Conference is. Indeed, Miami Heat loses all its potential without Lebron James. Furthermore, Cleveland Cavaliers has chosen Andrew Wiggins as its 1 Draft pick who has a real potential. Still, Cleveland Cavaliers own some young talented players and its new coach it is a real winner, David Platt, who has a positive record and has also won last Euroleague title with Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel. Lastly, Cleveland Cavaliers are close to sing a great player like Kevin Love from Minnesota Timberwolves.


Lebron James I´m Coming Home

Lebron James
Lebron James (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If Lebron James is capable of giving his state of Ohio a title back (they are famous of being losers and Ohio has only won a major sports title and it was 50 years ago. Besides, this state does not have great times because it depends heavily on car industry and Obama had to assembled a bailout that must be repaid as Ohio did have huge economical losses) Lebron James can deliver a riveting story worth of Hollywood, a poor guy who triumphs in the city of his modest state only to betrayed his compatriots, soon thereafter, he is a sort of hated outlaw as he is heavily hated on Ohio. Later on, achieves great success in a rich city like Miami and unexpectedly comes back to home to give splendour to otherwise a middling basketball team after suffering eternal humiliations that have been lasted for decades. This screenplay is loved by Lebron James. What is more, he could overcome Michael Jordan in personal terms as Air Jordan  did always have great players behind him like Scottie Pippen. However, is Lebron James really going to win a NBA Title with Cleveland Cavaliers? As far as Lebron James is concerned, there is no shortage of talent nor money as he is a free agent he is to earn a hefty sum of 90 Million dollars within the next 4 seasons. Lebron James. Time will tell. Genius are like this.

                            LEBRON JAMES THE DECISION 
Back to 2010, Lebron James announced his decision of leaving Cleveland Cavaliers in order to play for Miami Heat within a national television programme to proclaim it, he became thereby the most hated NBA player ever.
                                   
Lebron James

Thursday 10 July 2014

Sylvie Meis (no longer Sylvie Van der Vaart)

Not even a writer like Goethe, Dostoevsky or Shakespeare could have written such a story like this real one you are to read about Sylvie Meis, no longer called Sylvie Van der Vaart because her former husband, Dutch footballer Rafael Van der Vaart is not, to put it mildly, her cup of tea anymore. This story has all to become a recipe for literary success as it is beset with beauty, fame, wealth, loss, tragedy, romance, betrayal and dramaSylvie Meis Spanish version Sylvie Meis

SYLVIE MEIS NO LONGER VAN DER VAART.
Sylvie Van der Vaart and Rafael Van der Vaart were such a famous and perfect couple that they were called the German version of David and Victoria Beckham, not anymore though. Sylvie Meis is a sought-after model and television presenter, she is within many successful German television programmes. 

After having married at that time Ajax footballer Rafael Van der Vaart they both became a couple sensation, much more when they moved to Germany, one to play for Hamburg, the other to be a celebrity and superstar. Sylvie Meis for instance is the face of many brands such as Hunkermoller  that sells underwear worldwide. 

                                 Sylvie and Rafael Van der Vaart
Sylvie Meis, Rafael Van der Vaart.

When Sylvie Meis married Rafael Van der Vaart the dreams of many were fulfilled, a rich footballer and a pretty model. Furthemore, Van der Vaart signed for the most important football team in the world later on, Real Madrid, everything seemed a match and story made in heaven. Only writers such the beforementioned could have written the end, a tragedy and a sad story followed. After having a baby and being successful in their professions, sickness took Silvie Van der Vaart and she suffered from cancer, she undergone surgery. Similarly, Van der Vaart left Madrid as he was no playing as great as he was required to.

Sylvie Van der Vaart
Sylvie Meis Hunkermoller

Yet everything is nothing if compared to the personal issues the erstwhile glamorous couple experienced, unlike the happy marriages we tend to read on fables this story ended bad, really bad. On new Year´s Eve and after the cancer was overcome, the perfect couple seemed breakable as Rafael Van der Vaart supposedly hit her wife. They separated immediately. Soon thereafter, they broke up. Still, Rafael Van der Vaart started to date a close friend of Sylvie Meis with whom he has had a child too. 

Sylvie Meis
Hunkermoller Sylvie Meis

Sylvie Meis seemed the victim on this story, first she was beaten and then her best friend stole her man (Sabia Engizek), yet not so long ago and some time later the breaking up took place Sylvie Meis assured she had been cheated on Rafael Van der Vaart with a pilot as he did not care about her enough while suffering from cancer thus making Rafael Van der Vaart so angry he attacked Sylvie Meis. I warned you, this story was no easy at all!!!! 


Sylvie Van der Vaart
Sylvie Meis, no longer Van der Vaart

Sylvie Meis is still a celebrity and Rafael Van der Vaart a footballer but they will never be that perfect couple everything thought, if something great writers taught us was "All that glitters is no gold". At least, we have here a great pictures of one of the best Dutch models and television presenters never born. Sylvie Meis a celebrity but no longer Sylvie Van der Vaart!!!Do share, rate or comment. Hot Girls

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Last season of Eastbound and Down is hilarious.

Kenny Powers
Danny McBride (Photo credit: Insert Photographer Here)
Fourth season of Eastbound and Down is the last one being a positive circumstance as it is no artificially extended. As a matter of fact, only the fourth season of Eastbound and Down makes this television series an absolute success both for its situations, humour, plot, performances... Our beloved character Kenny Powers decides to triumph in the world of television. Due to his experiences we realise how show business world must be like, each episode is better than the one before and all of them end with a brilliant reflection, everything is overlaid with fun, hilarious humour and plenty of cleverness. Eastbound and and down  is good news for comedy series.

EASTBOUND AND DOWN BRIEF PORTRAYALS
On Episode 6 Marilyn Manson appears while on the last one the main protagonist is British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in a role that suits him perfectly. What is more, the introduction to this last episode is one of the funniest I have ever watched.

Eastbound and Down
Eastbound and Down

We ought to talk about the best friend of Kenny Powers, Steve Janowski, (actor Steve Little), who is very peculiar and gives this series a comical element very interesting as he is the counterpoint of Kenny Powers and epitomizes eternal and staunch support for amoral and fearless Kenny (Danny McBride). All characters and actors of this television series are really good Eastbound and Down will always be in our memory for good, Kenny Powers likewise.

                                Eastbound and Down
Good Friends Eastbound and Down

Eastbound and Down comedy series is brilliant, hilarious, waggish, raving mad, droll, mordant, witty and above all,  funny, very funny.

Eastbound and Down
Eastbound and Down

Do share, rate and comment if you love Kenny Powers and Eastbound and Down

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Modern English Words based on Shakespeare´s plays

William Shakespeare wrote so many good plays that many modern expressions used today are extracted directly from some of his books. Now you can see 5 English expressions and its link to the books of William Shakespeare
  1. A FOOL´S PARADISE: Comes from the famous story Romeo and Juliet, believe something is good when it is not in reality.
  2. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NO GOLD: A very recurrent sentence ( I tend to use it a lot) was used for the first time in another renowned play of William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice (recent film adaptation played by Al Pacino is great). Appearances are not always true, a vital lesson all we must learn.
  3. METHOD IN YOUR MADNESS, from the eternal story Hamlet, Polonius says to Hamlet "Though this be madness yet there is method in it" A very rich expression with plenty of meaning.
  4. WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE so that people can trust you, it is extracted from Othello and said in a special way by the villain of that play.
  5. A SORRY SIGHT from Macbeth, albeit it has a jocular sense now it is said when Macbeth kills a king (Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard are to star a movie soon based on this play)

There are lots of English Expressions based on Shakespeare, do you want to add any? Do share, rate or comment

William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare