This week Le Sulk (Nicolas Anelka) got kicked off Les Bleus (the French National Team)- the big baby is pictured here incognito returning from South Africa. Apparently he lit into his head coach at half-time of a loss where he played poorly, was summarily dismissed from the team, his coach stood up for him before criticizing him, and then his teammates went on strike for one practice. Ohh, how very French of you, Monsieur Anelka...
The possible conversation taking place at the airline ticket counter:
Our group round predictions ended up pretty good and could be great. Of the picks, I think only Nigeria and Cameroon are already out right now.
Le Sulk- "Escuzay moi, but I need une firs- class teeket outta here. I hate my coche."
Airport lady- "I am sorry sir, but we only have seats available in coach."
Le Sulk freaks out- "#%&--NON MERCI Imbécile- I SAID I HAATE MY COCHE!"
The only thing less surprising than this French blow-up, is that the 4 missing North Korean players possibly did not try to defect while playing at the WC. Those Koreans still have one more match, so I have not given up hope on my prediction of no fewer than 2 defections.
SO who even cares about the French. The problem is that they still think they are the best team in the tournament.
Our predictions:
Group A: Uruguay, Mexico
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria
Group C: England, US
Group D: Germany, Serbia
Group E: Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F: Paraguay, Italy (on goal differential over Slovakia)
Group G: Brazil, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Chile
Actual:
A: Uruguay, Mexico
B: Argentina, South Korea
On the eve of the US-Algeria match, we are 3 for 4 on our second round picks. I think the other predictions have done OK as well.
1. Fabio and Diego have hurt their teams.
The case against Fabio has been well documented in the British tabloids. But we were saying it a full WEEK before them. The fact remains that no foreign born coach has ever won the Le Coupe- and Fabio should not have been picked by the FA to lead the English's Golden Generation.
As for Diego, the case is more difficult to make being that Argentina has been one of the most dominant (if not the most) teams in the WC: three wins, 7 goals scored and only 1 allowed. However, why was Messi playing a full 90 minutes against Greece? Was it really necessary after he appeared in 53 matches for his club this season? This is small, but Diego has made other lapses in judgment such as unnecessarily criticizing famous footballers Pele and Platini. I mean I agree with Diego that "We all know how the French are [see Le Sulk above] and Platini is French..." Yes, Diego- everyone can make fun of the French. But not everyone should make such comments in news conferences. Time will tell whether Argentina is succeeding despite Diego or because of him. I tend to think its the former, and I also think they are the most talented team in the tournament, but if they lose, it will be his fault.
So the coaching curse of Bill Russell lives on- that is, great players normally make lousy coaches. But wait, you say "I just wikipedia'd Russell and he won a couple NBA titles as a coach." Ah yes, but that was when he was playing. Would Argentina be better off if Diego was a player-coach? To be quite honest... possibly... check out this stuff from '86 and while I'm at it, the other top 10 WC goals of all time.
2. European teams are doing poorly. South Americans doing well.
No need to explain that which has been well-documented as a poor WC for the Euro giants- France, Italy, England, Spain and Germany have all either 1. lost at least one game or 2. risk going out at the group stage. Of the big Euro-boys, only the Dutch are looking decent. Also, we mentioned in our predictions the importance of the location of a WC- South Americans have always won Le Coupe when played outside of Le Continent. This Coupe does not figure to be any different.
Young Greeks become upset upon learning they, along with the rest of their continent, are relatively mediocre at their only sport.
3. The Jabulani has created parity.
The jabulani has seemed to decrease scoring, but has also seemed to level the field and brought the big boys down a notch. Examples: US 1- England 1, Suisse 1-Spain 0, Brazil 2-NKorea 1, Serbia 1-Germany 0, Netherlands 1-Japan 0, Italy 1-NewZealand 1.
We will update soon- enjoy the U.S. vs. Algeria game!
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