I haven't been updating as much as I would like to.
But well, I am back to just give an overview of things to come.
Firstly, the YOG is looming! It starts in the middle of next month, and it's the first of its kind in the world, in SINGAPORE!
I won't be involved competitively nor as a volunteer, but I will immerse myself in the spirit and would aim to spread this spirit to the people around me.
This is arguably our biggest sporting moment to date and probably for a long time to come, and we must make full use of it to make it a huge spectacle.
It's a good sign that many are contending over the YOG cheer, and a contest is even started to challenge Singaporeans to come up with a better cheer than JJ Lin's energetic but probably rather superficial and uninspiring cheer. A Facebook group expressing dislike for the official YOG cheer got thousands of Likes. Even Ris got into the act. Even former NMP Eunice Olsen got involved.
This just shows that passion runs high, though whether this can translate to very enthusiastic sentiments, it rests on us Singaporeans.
Make us so proud! Haha.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Delight
I didn't want to make any voiced prediction over the result of the World Cup final, because it really seems like whoever I back will crash out of the competition.
It's probably more down to my inadequate prediction skills (unlike Paul the Octopus) than any relation to bringing bad luck. I am not that 'influential'.
France crashed out. Cameroon, which I backed as most likely the best performing African side, was the first to be eliminated. Then England was defeated after I backed it to overcome Germany (and Argentina). Then backing Argentina and Brazil for q-finals, both crashed out. Germany, who defied my expectations, won me over after the Argentina spectacle. I took it as my choice for the title. They crashed to Spain.
My choice was Spain. I'm glad they won. They peaked at the right moment. Though they were never clinical in finishing, they were consistent in their game.
The Spain now brings back memories of the France a decade ago. France emerged in 1998, winning the WC title on home soil before claiming the Euro 00 after it. Spain won Euro 08, then followed with WC 10. Both countries in both periods were in some sort of a golden era. Think the likes of Barthez (yes), Zidane, Thuram, Petit, Henry... Then Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa.
The difference that can possibly prevent Spain from slipping off the radar like France did in 2002 is the immense strength in depth (allowing for bench players to rotate with the first-team players without decreasing quality) and good managers. Vicente del Bosque is a great manager which Real Madrid didn't appreciate and his Spanish team has just delivered the first ever title (also their first semi-final or better appearance with the exception of the 1950 low turnout edition).
The rough antics of the Dutch failed, and beautiful football (albeit not clinical throughout the competition) won. All neutrals, you may cheer. For the team that produced the best quality of football (Germany pale only in style though) deservingly won.
It's probably more down to my inadequate prediction skills (unlike Paul the Octopus) than any relation to bringing bad luck. I am not that 'influential'.
France crashed out. Cameroon, which I backed as most likely the best performing African side, was the first to be eliminated. Then England was defeated after I backed it to overcome Germany (and Argentina). Then backing Argentina and Brazil for q-finals, both crashed out. Germany, who defied my expectations, won me over after the Argentina spectacle. I took it as my choice for the title. They crashed to Spain.
My choice was Spain. I'm glad they won. They peaked at the right moment. Though they were never clinical in finishing, they were consistent in their game.
The Spain now brings back memories of the France a decade ago. France emerged in 1998, winning the WC title on home soil before claiming the Euro 00 after it. Spain won Euro 08, then followed with WC 10. Both countries in both periods were in some sort of a golden era. Think the likes of Barthez (yes), Zidane, Thuram, Petit, Henry... Then Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa.
The difference that can possibly prevent Spain from slipping off the radar like France did in 2002 is the immense strength in depth (allowing for bench players to rotate with the first-team players without decreasing quality) and good managers. Vicente del Bosque is a great manager which Real Madrid didn't appreciate and his Spanish team has just delivered the first ever title (also their first semi-final or better appearance with the exception of the 1950 low turnout edition).
The rough antics of the Dutch failed, and beautiful football (albeit not clinical throughout the competition) won. All neutrals, you may cheer. For the team that produced the best quality of football (Germany pale only in style though) deservingly won.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Buildup to finale
Netherlands have made the World Cup final! Third time in their history; they only managed a best showing of 3rd in the heights of the Total Football era.
Spain has made the semi-finals for the first time with a creditable competition (they managed to be in the Top 4 in 1950 where only 13 teams participated). Incidentally, Uruguay won that edition, but this time round they are stopped at the semi-finals after a comparatively easy run of matches including South Korea and Ghana.
Compare this to Germany, who faced England and Argentina, winning both games by scoring 4 goals. Now they have Spain to contend with.
This year's World Cup seems to have proceeded extremely fast, without much positive drama. The only major positive note this time round is Germany's efficient performances coupled with some degree of flair and youthful exuberance.
Pre-tournament favourites Spain and Brazil have been far short of living up to expectations, with Brazil ousted by a Dutch comeback and Spain just sneaking past with Villa's goals and the midfield playmakers' reliability. Even Netherlands, with a scintillating lineup of attackers, have not translated their potential to convincing results.
Although the octopus predicts a Spain win (it got its 5 previous predictions for Germany all right), it should be an error like the only one it has made to date: Germany to defeat Spain in Euro 08. This time, the tables should be turned.
Spain has made the semi-finals for the first time with a creditable competition (they managed to be in the Top 4 in 1950 where only 13 teams participated). Incidentally, Uruguay won that edition, but this time round they are stopped at the semi-finals after a comparatively easy run of matches including South Korea and Ghana.
Compare this to Germany, who faced England and Argentina, winning both games by scoring 4 goals. Now they have Spain to contend with.
This year's World Cup seems to have proceeded extremely fast, without much positive drama. The only major positive note this time round is Germany's efficient performances coupled with some degree of flair and youthful exuberance.
Pre-tournament favourites Spain and Brazil have been far short of living up to expectations, with Brazil ousted by a Dutch comeback and Spain just sneaking past with Villa's goals and the midfield playmakers' reliability. Even Netherlands, with a scintillating lineup of attackers, have not translated their potential to convincing results.
Although the octopus predicts a Spain win (it got its 5 previous predictions for Germany all right), it should be an error like the only one it has made to date: Germany to defeat Spain in Euro 08. This time, the tables should be turned.
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