World Cup Countdown #2

Well, last night was fun! Sort of. Switzerland - Italy started well enough, cracking early goal from Gokhlan Inler, then shortly after, crappo defending from Senderos no less, and Italy are allowed a goal from their first and only chance of the game. After that, it was just run of the mill stuff, Italy content with not getting injured, Lippi content with not really testing his real first team. I mean, I didn't even get to see the Buffon. That sucked.

What also really really sucked was the smoking. I mean, are we in the 19th century or what? When people can't go to a bloody football game without having to inhale the goddamn fumes from everyone else around you? Unacceptable. How I yearned for that Emirates experience. Brilliant stadium, fresh air, and no bloody smoking!

But I digress. The game itself was as expected after the rather nicely surprising first 15 minutes. Everyone in the Italian team content with seeing the game out with limbs intact. The Swiss made a better show of themselves, probably urged on by the crowd in Geneva happy just entertaining themselves while the 22 just trotted around. Must mention the Senderos sighting. Had a decent showing, but really...him right in the middle of the park as the defensive spine of your football team? Not really confidence-inducing. Poor man. I used to like him. But despite the fact that he wasn't really great stuff, I did enjoy the Senderos Sighting. We hadn't had that for a bit over in London.

Another thing I sorta learned last night: HOP SUISSE. That's the Swiss equivalent of Forza Italia. But what the heck does "hop" mean? Nothing I think. Just: Hop Suisse, clap clap clap, Hop Suisse, clap, clap, clap...etc etc etc.

I think they may need a new chant, but probably too late for that. In the same vein, maybe the French will need their own equivalent of Hop Suisse...."Pffft France"?

Pffft France, pffft pffft, pffft! (add arms in exasperation gesture), Pffft France, pffft pffft, pffft!(add arms in exasperation gesture), Pffft France, pffft pffft, pffft! (add arms in exasperation gesture)...Could be cool. Perfect for occasions such as losing 1-0 in your final friendly - at home - to world football giants China. There's nothing more about France, Domenech and this current team that needs to be said, so just enjoy. How much money shall we put on them failing to get past the group stages without scoring a goal? Sounds familiar?:

You know, speaking of injuries, is it me or has this World Cup run in been riddled with stupid avoidable injuries in training and friendlies? Ballack, Drogba, Rio F (yay), now Robben, and I'm sure I've left out a few. (Of course, on the pre-WC friendly front, who can forget RVP?). It's really kinda stupid if you asked me. You get professionals gearing themselves up every four years, only to get knackered in either training or a meaningless friendly a week or two before the start of the World Cup.

All got to do with the games coming at the end of a long season, and the players being tired while at the same time probably playing to avoid injuries. That's how you get injured.

Finally, on the non-WC news, it just gets more and more interesting over at Anfield. Looks like Sven's now in the mix. Uh huh. Sven, as in Goran Errrikkkssson. Failed at Manciti, failed with England, just perfect for Pool. I can just imagine them poor Pool fans. Dalglish? Sven? Dalgligh? Sven? Sven? Dalglish? Ah fuck it. What larks.

And yeah, the Joe Cole saga too is worthy of a laugh. Yes, we were mentioned. But so too Man U. But now the talk is that he's going to forego all this and have a love-fest reunion (?) with Harry Redknapp. Spurs. The boy would choose Spurs! But anyway, methinks the saga is far from over, so he'll probably be linked with LA Galaxy or Ah-Ahli at some point.

Alright then. Ciao. This next couple of days is gonna drag on a bit, I fear.