Forget all that crazy talk about a surprise team winning
the World Cup, because that’s all it was…crazy
talk. Maybe it’s not going to be Brazil, but it
is going to be a previous winner. Italy has three titles
and France has one, so it’ll be interesting if
France can enter the ever-more exclusive club of multiple
winners or if Italy simply adds another feather to their
very impressive cap.
Only
seven countries have won the World Cup and that won’t
change this time around. For those of you who picked
a surprise to win it all, you were naïve and slightly
ignorant all at the same time.
The big boys win this thing, pure and simple. Litter
your lineup with mostly world-class players and it’s
still not enough. You need all world class and a defense
to match. France might have enjoyed a little bit of
luck, because I’m still not totally convinced
that the penalty kick awarded to France today was earned.
It’s
too bad for Scolari and his underdog Portugal side,
because I really enjoyed seeing his antics on the sideline…pure
passion. That’s what it takes. Not sitting there,
looking up at the clouds (a la Bruce Arena) hoping some
divine intervention is going to put YOUR players in
all the right spots on the field.
Now it’s on to the biggest weekend of the year.
Here in the States, the big talk is about the U.S. Soccer
Federation going after Jurgen Klinsmann. Everyone with
a brain in the U.S. is praying that somebody besides
Bruce gets hired for the job, because this country’s
National Team deserves better...way better.
Tomorrow:
Reliving the past.
Departments
In every
issue of 90:00® we cover the game of soccer with style, intelligence
and passion. You'll find hard-hitting editorial, explosive action
photography, insightful interviews and in-depth coverage of the personalities
and products that represent the best of soccer. Plus, in each new
issue you can count on enjoying our popular departments that include...
Inside
the Touchline
Kicking off each
issue, we cover everything from the weird and wacky to the latest
developments affecting the game we love.
Sideline
Chatter
Gadgets, games,
gear and gossip all collide in this section, bringing you up to
date with the modern soccer lifestyle.
World's
Game
News and views from
a passionate perspective on the global game; Asia, Europe, Africa
and both Americas. It's all in play.
Mark's
Mayhem
A place where absolutely
nothing is off-limits and only the strong survive.
Stoppage
Time
A parting shot that sometimes
shocks and always delights. One last reminder to look out for us
next time.
