damn the muse

I actually get up every morning at 5:30 to start getting ready for work, so it's perfect for me these days to catch the first match of the day. Of course I'm stunned, stunned I tell you to see that another match ended in a tie. A tie! Poor Italy. Now it really has to win a match. Actually, now that I think about it, this was a good result for the Italians.

Though I have to say compared to four years ago, the refereeing at these matches has been superb. No team has won or scored a goal because a referee screwed up a call. At least not yet. The minute it starts, there will be much yelling on this blog.

Now I'm off to a conference. Go Portugal! And I still hate Brazil. But I'm not a fan of North Korea either, so I may go for them just to see Kaka cry.

Posted by yasmín at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So it's 7 am, and I've finished my coffee, and I'm getting ready to go to work. Mexico plays today in the first match of the World Cup, and I will be at work. I suppose I should see this as some kind of milestone. Four years ago I was able to see every match, experience every slide, foul, and goal because I had no job and was probably torturing myself with that evil exam. Now I'm working, and I'm kind of sad I can't watch the match!

But I love my job!

Viva Mexico. Beat South Africa today, muchachos.

Posted by yasmín at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By now it's old news, but the USA seems thrilled to know that David Beckham is coming to play for the Galaxy.

Taking the first step Thursday, Beckham announced a five-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy, starting this summer.

The Galaxy didn't say exactly what they'll pay him, but floated a figure of $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements over the length of his contract. In other words, his move could be worth $1 million a week.

For the MLS, this is great news. Soccer needs more exposure here in the States, and if David B. can do it, well I'm all for it. Besides, after watching him on GMA this morning, he's not that bad looking. He's way cuter than Posh that's for sure.

Posted by yasmín at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm not even sure if my football posts are that popular.

Football.

It's such a small and troublesome word. When I'm with my extended family I have to say American football because the real thing is an entirely different sport. It's just as much fun too. I think my family and I become rabid when watching it. We're scary.

My brother, B, loves all things German, so of course he knows all about the football clubs (futból now) in dear ole Deutschland. When his favorite team made it to the semis, there was much joy coming from his room. My mother and my cousin could bring down the walls. If the match is America v. Chivas, bloody hell, run for your life. There will be screaming. There will be doors slamming. There might even be an insult. Loyalty exists towards these teams, and god forbid they lose.

My family members will call family members in Mexico to gloat if a team won.

See, this is why I'm the way that I am. It's genetic.

Posted by yasmín at 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Australia was just robbed by a fake penalty call. Seriously, the officiating at this World Cup is ruining the games. If this continues the winner will be decided by how well the ref has been paid off not the best team.

Kudos to the Australians for playing so well.

Posted by yasmín at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Excuse me while I scream.

Of all the crappy reffing I have seen, this has to be the worst and most deliberate! I'm pissed. There's no way that was a penalty. Univision is showing the replay, and they say it's not a penalty. It's not a penalty. They just don't like the US team. I'm surprised they didn't disqualify the team's first goal as offsides. The US will win this match, and if they don't it won't be because they didn't play their best. It will be because of the horrible refs.

2-1 Ghana leads for now.

final: Assuming Brazil wins later today, Ghana is in for a whipping in the next round. It would be interesting if they won though.

Stupid ref.

Posted by yasmín at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm liveblogging this, and I'm getting all weepy listening to the Mexican anthem. Just listening to the crowd it's obvious that this match is going to be massive. It's important to Mexico because it determines whether the team advances, so a draw or a win is good.

Gah! That sucks!! Minute 5 Portugal scores. Come on Mexico. Keep attacking. That was an awesome goal though.

update: 2-1 In favor of Portugal, but this match does not let up. The Mexican goal really raised the team's spirits. Here's hoping it can translate into something more by the time the second half starts.

I did a quick call to a few family members. Frustration. Call back. It was hysterical. What can I say, we're devoted. Anyway, second half is starting.

update 2: Penalty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idiota la fallo!! Ahi estaba el maldito empate y lo fallo. Gah!! Obviously, Portugal is still winning.

last: Portugal wins 2-1. Now comes the waiting game. Angola is winning their game, though the announcer just came on and that game just finished in a tie. Mexico is in the second round! Thank goodness, or maybe not. They may be playing against Argentina. Crap!

Posted by yasmín at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Contrary to popular belief some of us do actually study for the bar exam...and watch the games at the same time. That means liveblogging is out of the question. And there are no moments of OMG Germany just scored in the last FREAKING MINUTE OF THE GAME!!!!!!!! That was a moment. When the Cup is over and all the main stations are doing their recaps, that goal will be among the favorites.

By the way, how cool was it that Spain pulverized the Ukraine? The penalty was stupid. I've seen more calls in other games that probably deserved the call, but this was just wacky. Maybe the referee was in the mood.

Posted by yasmín at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The first half just ended, and after much sparring Brazil is winning much to my distaste! I will admit that they're playing beautiful football, and as long as I don't see any baby gestures, the match will be watchable. I also think Croatia is doing a decent job, and as long as they don't allow this last minute goal to phase them, there's still an opportunity to tie the game or even win. Especially since Brazil's defense tends to be asleep from time to time.

update: Brazil wins 1-0. This match actually rocked. It was tense. There were many attempts at goal by both sides, and the goalkeepers had awesome saves. My mom thinks she was thinking a semi-final match. It was that good, and I obviously agree. Brazil, not my favorite team, but I really appreciated this match.

Posted by yasmín at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A minute ago I was just thinking how much I miss Meola.

Goal in favor of Czech Republic during the 4th minute. This game is going to to be tense. And Univision just mention "grupo de la muerte" which I would take seriously except they say it for almost every group.

28 USA isn't lost yet. They almost scored. They seem to be dominating the first half timewise. The Czech's Koller is a threat though.

Have the Czech's realized they need to control the ball? There was a corner kick in favor of the CR but it was kicked away safetly.

update: CR goal! Damnit! This sucks. ¡Reacciona malditasea!

final: CR 3 USA 0. That was a beating. It was ugly. I think I'm going to avoid phone calls and hope that Italy and Ghana suck, though I'm choosing Italy in the match later today. What an ugly game. I'm so bummed.

Posted by yasmín at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mexico won in what can only be called a thriller. 3-1, and those last two goals were only minutes apart! I like everyone else in that stadium wanted a fourth, but it was not to be. That's ok. At least they won.

I watched the Australia v. Japan game for a while. I really liked the way Japan kicked the ball even if the goalkeeper was a bit too nervous at times (their downfall). Australia pulled it together at the end, and they may earn the second spot with this win, but the fact is I've seen better teams play, so while it may reach the 16 match, it won't advance from there.

The USA game is going to start soon. Stay tuned for liveblogging.

Posted by yasmín at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!

What the hell. Where the hell is Mexico. Mexico didn't show up. I can't believe the way they're playing. Iran is kicking their butt. Hello. And here comes the first yellow card of the game.

The announcer is going on about how the team has never lost the first match in the World Cup. Héchale la sal, no.

min. 27: GOL!!!!!!!!!! That was gorgeous. Finally. They are waking up. Go Mexico. This game is nerve-wracking.

Posted by yasmín at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I need the coffee to work through my system. Then Beckham scores the first goal of the game in the first two minutes, and I'm getting there. Seriously, I'm entertained.

Anyway, a bit more liveblogging will happen for the second half.

update: I have one word for the second half. Boring. England is going to win with two minutes left, and what a disappointing match. Hopefully Argentina's will be more entertaining.

Posted by yasmín at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two yellow cards, one awesome goal, and an unlikely leader. I think I'm impressed. Ecuador is leading Poland (though I insist on writing out Polonia) by 1. At the same time the Univisión announcer can't decide whether he wants to use English or Spanish.

Quick lesson: offsides = fuera de lugar

I'm following along at the New York Times blog where they seem to be having fits watching the ESPN telecast. Apparently, it's not recommended.

update: It's about 15 minutes into the second half and Poland is desperate. This equals dangerous, and in some cases can mean stupid. So far there's been one ugly foul, and a few close calls.

final: Ecuador 2 Poland 0

I'm thinking that Germany and maybe Costa Rica will advance from this group because even though Ecuador won, it wasn't that impressive.

Posted by yasmín at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OMG!!! Eleven minutes in and this game is already a nail-biter. Both teams are tied 1-1. Damn! Costa Rica isn't going to go down without a fight. By the way I am going for Deutschland in this match, but this is fun.

update: 2-1 Germany at minute 17.

update 2: 3-1 Germany. The Univisión announcer has a fetish. He's obsessed with the name Schweinsteiger, and now I'll never forget that name. I dare him to say it three times fast.

OH!!!!!! Costa Rica just scored! Dang. 3-2! Now this is what I call a match. Squee!

Final: Germany 4 Costa Rica 2

What a great game though it does seem that the Germans did have a bit of trouble during the match. They're fast and strong. I'm not sure if it's enough to be #1. After speaking to the parental unit who happened to be carrying a mini tv while doing the shopping (hysterical, but what can I say we're a soccer family), she informed me that the Czechs are favored to win. It's fine by me. As long as it's not Brazil. One of these days I'll explain why.

Next up, Poland v. Ecuador. I haven't picked a side. Hmm...Poland is favored.

I'm actually looking foward to tomorrow. Argentina has its match tomorrow. Oh, and then there's England.

Posted by yasmín at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The World Cup is here. I'm watching on Univision, and oh my I can't believe the announcer didn't recognize Pelé. I even know who Pelé is. Anyway, Pelé and Claudia Schiffer present the world cup statuette to the stadium.

This is very poignant. All the teams are being introduced, and they've invited members from winning teams. So as each team is introduced the stadium just goes wild and starts singing their national anthem. Italy was very sweet, but since Germany is playing in a matter of minutes there was pure song. I have a feeling that this month is going to be memorable.

Posted by yasmín at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

MSNBC has a fun little article from Forbes on four different ways to crash the World Cup if your ticketless. They're rather cute, but my favorite one has to be the parachuting into the stadium. I can totally picture a fan doing that especially to one of Wagner's pieces.

And to anyone following the World Cup, the NYT seems to have a decent blog covering the events leading to and the games. I've added it to my feed. If anyone else has suggestions please send them my way. The first match is tomorrow.

Posted by yasmín at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This will be my crack this month. Every four years I look foward to this event, and it's the only reason why I'm kinda glad I have ESPN though frankly I may be watching Univision instead. It's a fact the Hispanic announcers are so much more entertaining, and when they say, "GOL!" I feel it. I grew up with it. It's just not the same in English.

I'm so biased.

Ah, but World Cup soccer is here. Go Mexico, USA, Argentina! Down Brazil.

Posted by yasmín at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The downside to not living at home with my mother: I find out at the last minute that all the qualifying teams for the 2006 World Cup have been assigned to their groups. I realize it's random. Still. It's 1990 all over again, and I honestly don't know how decent the US team is right now.

Ah! But the fever is building.

Did they have to place the Americans with the Italians and the Czechs?!? It's going to be a frickin' blood bath. In the meantime Mexico only has Portugal to deal with, and Argentina doesn't have it bad. Germany is of course in the Cup because they're hosting, but they always have a good team. As long as Brazil doesn't make it to the finals, I'll be happy.

Yes, I am a futból fan. Watch me become rabid. Rawr!

Posted by yasmín at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)