There Is Only One Sinnacle

Hindsight is always 20-20 but part of me is now annoyed Portugal didn’t go for it at least in the final 10 minutes against Brazil. Spain had to win and if they did Spain would then win the group. With Portugal in no danger of a miracle exit wish Carlos Queiroz would of gone for it more to avoid Spain. On the bright side even if it was Brazil’s B team still happy they kept a clean sheet.

Won my only game yesterday so that is good now moving on to the weekend.

Uruguay -0.5 -108 vs South Korea – Liked Uruguay before the World Cup and nothing has change my tune. They may not be deep but Uruguay has key people in key places that can win you a game. With Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez i’ll side with Uruguay

Ghana pk +111 vs USA – I wouldn’t kill me if the US won since i have them in a prop to advance further than Mexico. (I also have yes to an African team in the qtr finals) It really wouldn’t shock me to see this game go into extra time. Can’t add nothing fancy, mostly going with Ghana since they are plus money.

England -109 vs Germany

I know, I know I picked Germany win the World Cup but something tells me in a battle between Fabio Capello and Joachim Loew the Italian’s experience will prove valuable. Germany also has injury concerns to deal with.

Argentina – Mexico over 2 and 2.5 -102

Can’t see Mexico keeping a clean sheet and can easily see Argentina cough up a goal. It’s in neither teams style to sit back so hopefully the Argentina of the group stage carries over to the knockout round.

World Cup Record

15-18-9 -.97 units

Props Record

4-4 -.18 unit

Overall

18-22-9 -1.15 units

Former Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is on Fulham’s shortlist to succeed Roy Hodgson as manager, should he join Liverpool. Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Tony Mowbray are the others being considered. goal.com

Alan Curbishley would keep Fulham in the EPL but he won’t be taking them to the Europa League finals anytime soon.

Arsenal are thought to be considering a £12m bid for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel. caughtoffside.com

If I was Arsenal I’d take a chance on Ryan Babel. He is exactly the type of player who can come good at Arsenal.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is poised to sign for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, according to German sports agency SID.

Done deal as Ballack signs a two year contract and they say you can’t go home again.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he is trying to beat Arsenal to the signature of Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole. The Sun

Flip of a coin between Tottenham and Arsenal, I’m sure Harry Redknapp is hoping their West Ham connection will give him an edge in signing Joe Cole.

New Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh wants the Gunners to sign his ex-Bordeaux team-mate Yoann Gourcuff. The Sun

Always nice to see Marouane Chamakh trying to call his own shots before even playing a game for Arsenal.

Brazil forward Robinho has told Manchester City he wants to leave the club. Daily Mirror

Manchester City then told Robinho to go.

Barcelona’s ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry is set to join MLS side New York Red Bulls on a two-year deal. Daily Mirror

New York is along ways away from the heat he’d feel in France.

Everton are interested in Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland. The Sun

Like Stephen Ireland, don’t see how him and Tim Cahill would play together however.

Shocking day in the World Cup as Italy joins France as finalist in the 2006 World Cup now knocked out of the group stage of the 2010 World Cup. This Italy team just never seem to get it in gear and once they did in the final 20 minutes of the Slovakia game it was too little too late. At least Marcello Lippi stopped making excuses after the game blaming himself but really there is only so much a coach can do. Sure Lippi picked the wrong players as the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, and Gianluca Zambrotta all looked like the shell of their former selfs and the likes of Fiorentina duo Riccardo Montolivo and Alberto Gilardino failing to create any kind of offensive spark.

Going on a rant here and if your not from Toronto please bypass this but boy I sure hate politicians. Mayoral candidate George Smitherman was watching the game with Italian fans of course hoping for a great photo op dancing in the streets when St Clair turns crazy after an Italy win. Of course Mr Smitherman turned into a jinx as his planned failed. I did however love this comment.

“When Italy does well, Toronto does well.”

I swear I can’t wait not to vote for this guy now. What idiot is running his campaign? All this does is annoy me. George Smitherman is likely to be on College St tomorrow cheering however is the winner of Portugal-Brazil. To use an event like the World Cup and the passion that is people’s national identities to try and further an political campaign is awful. I wonder how many times George Smitherman has been on St Clair in non World Cup years?

Oh yes Portugal and Brazil is tomorrow. Make me proud tomorrow. I don’t want to sweat out this massive goal differential for one minute. Below is a clip of Portugal beating Brazil two years ago…..good times.

As for tomorrow only like the Spain-Chile over 2.5 +100. Finally some props have cashed in to help save a bad Wednesday.

World Cup Record

14-18-9 -1.97 units

Props Record

4-4 -.18 unit

Overall

18-22-9 -2.15 units

Part of me has been wondering what is Lurent Blanc thinking watching this French team fall apart. He might think that he is in for the toughest job in sports, coaching a bunch of players who made fools of themselves during the last month. On the flip side after the horror that was Raymond Domenech these French players will just after do anything Blanc due to the sheer joy of being rid of Domenech.

Switching gears for a moment, you know who else has to be pleased at the moment? Karim Benzema that’s who. Benzema must be sercetly thrilled the stink that was France’s World Cup campaign did not land on him. Never will Benzema have to answer the question what went wrong and how do you feel about shaming your country?

As for the players who did shame their country. This World Cup team is a joke. Reading a twitter post summed it up nicely. “This world cup has turned out like ww2! The French surrendered early, USA arrive last min and we’re left to fight the Germans!” (credit to @hillmania)

Did these players truely understand what it is ike to wear a National team jersey? I find it unreal how selfish and pity most of these players were. They will forever be remembered for this. A team with so much talent playing so poorly means this group is rotten to it’s core and much like France failure to make it to the 1994 World Cup heads will need to be chopped and Laurent Blanc will need to clear out this squad.

Players like Éric Abidal, William Gallas, Patrice Evra, Franck Ribéry, Djibril Cissé, Sidney Govou, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka either due to age, talent, or professionalism need to go. For Blanc to succeed a clear message needs to be sent that it’s out with the old and in with the new. The good thing for France is they have a ton of talent to build around. Laurent Blanc needs to build around Hugo Lloris, Gaël Clichy, Yoann Gourcuff, Abou Diaby, Mathieu Valbuena, André-Pierre Gignac, Karim Benzema, Aly Cissokho, Lassana Diarra, Moussa Sissoko, Hatem Ben Arfa, Jimmy Briand, Loïc Rémy, Bafétimbi Gomis. Every single one of these players age 25 or young just to highlight the talent France has.

In the end best wishes to you Laurent Blanc. Not all is lost but you have some work cut out for you.

This man broke my heart in 2004 but on his way out the door Greek fans everywhere should be grateful for the amazing job Otto Rehhagel did with this club. It may not always be pretty but Rehhagel had his teams play a system that gave them the best chance to win. In the end you can’t fault that even if it made a neturel want to rip out his hair.

At 71 the time is right to Rehhagel to step aside. After bowing out in the group stage of Euro 2008 and this year’s World Cup it became clear the cycle completed itself but what a high when Rehhagel lead Greece in winning Euro 2004. Hope Otto Rehhagel gets to enough the next chapter in his life as I’m sure Greek fans everywhere will look back fondly at the time Rehhagel was in charge.

Manchester City have been given permission to talk to Valencia’s £30m-rated winger David Silva.
Full story: the Sun

However, Chelsea are set to hijack Manchester City’s move for Silva as the 24-year-old is said to prefer a move to the Premier League champions. Daily Mail

I’d rather see Manchester City spend 30 million on David Silva than Yaya Toure. From the Chelsea viewpoint David Silva would make a great replacement for the outgoing Joe Cole.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to win his battle for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer after offering £3.5m for the Australian. Daily Mirror

Not a bad return for Fulham considering Schwarzer age and the fact they signed him on a free transfer. This move would still hurt Fulham as Schwarzer was one of the key reasons Fulham have done so well these last two years.

Tottenham are offering striker Robbie Keane at a knock-down price as manager Harry Redknapp looks to change his forward line ahead of Spurs’ Champions League campaign. Daily Mirror

The second Redknapp shipped Robbie Keane to Celtic you knew his days were numbered.

Tottenham are hoping to sign Palermo centre-back Simon Kjaer for £13m. Manchester United and Manchester City are both understood to be interested in the Denmark defender. IMScouting

Big fan of Kjaer and I’d be shocked if he starts the season at Palermo.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a £22m move for Brazil striker Luis Fabiano. Caughtoffside

Both are good but the Luis Fabiano of Sevilla and the Luis Fabiano of Brazil are two different players. When playing for Brazil Fabiano is out of this world at times. Oh what could of been when he was at Porto for a breif time.

Chelsea are rumoured to be monitoring Germany midfielders Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller and are willing to pay £45m for the youngsters. Caughtoffside

Bayern Munich doesn’t sell Thomas Muller and I’m not sure Werder Bremen would sell Ozil even if you cough up Diego type money.

Cute little commercial about how a baby was named after a football team. (1965 Liverpool) The punch line is too easy but lucky for the kid that he wasn’t born last year.

Chelsea have offered £10m for Benfica’s Brazil defender David Luiz. Manchester City and Real Madrid are also interested in the 23-year-old. The Times

Not a chance Benfica sells David Luiz at that price.

Barcelona are determined to sign Fernando Torres from Liverpool but say they will not pay more than £38m for the Spain striker. Daily Mail

Same can easily be said here too.

Newcastle have made a surprise move to sign Bolton left-back Jlloyd Samuel as they look to strengthen their side for the Premier League next season. Daily Mirror

Not everyday you hear about Jlloyd Samuel popping up in the transfer gossip.

Manchester City’s Brazil striker Robinho, whose loan agreement with Santos expires in August, will be told on Wednesday he can leave the Eastlands club. Daily Mirror

Manchester City to add you can leave the club just find someone who will come close to paying us the 30 million we wasted on you.

Serbia striker Milan Jovanovic has hinted that he might pull out of his move to Liverpool and follow former Reds boss Rafael Benitez to Inter Milan. Jovanovic, whose contract with Standard Liege ended this summer, signed a pre-contract deal with the Anfield club in February. Tuttomercatoweb.com

I like Jovanovic but let’s get serious now Inter Milan don’t need a 5th striker.

Tottenham winger Giovani dos Santos is a target for Italian side Genoa. The Sun

Tottenham must be happy to have a club now on the hook trying to land Giovani dos Santos.

The slow torture that has been this World Cup keeps on going. Funny thing is I was facing an 0-3 day until Nigeria tied it up and Argentina finally broke through Greece. As for the early games I’ll never forgive France for the way they embarrassed their nation. Those French players better go on vacation to Miami and stay as far away from France as they can.

On to tomorrow

USA -0.5 +103 vs Algeria

I’m not saying the USA will win 7-0 in this game but the main reason Portugal was able to hammer North Korea was because the North Korea’s were confident they could play with Portugal as they had done well against Brazil. Well, I’m hoping Algeria is in the same frame of mind here against the United States having holding England to a 0-0 draw.

England -1 and -1.5 +106 vs Slovenia

I’d love to see England lose but just have a feeling this game will go along the lines of Argentina-Greece did where once Argentina finally scored it was only a matter of time before a second one would be scored. Here is hoping England can do here what they couldn’t do against Algeria and score (twice)

Serbia-Australia under 2 and 2.5 +107

Naturally I could be wrong and judging from this World Cup it’s a safe bet that I am but can’t see where the 3rd goal will come from. Can’t see how Australia will fill up the net to make up the goal difference and if Serbia grabs a 1-0 lead they are likely to sit on it.

Germany-Ghana over 2.5 +107

Record

World Cup Record

13-14-8 -.50 units

Props Record

1-4 -3.18 unit

Overall

14-18-8 -3.68 units

Arsenal will eventually give up their bid to hold on to playmaker Cesc Fabregas and allow his move to the Nou Camp, says outgoing Barcelona president Joan Laporta. Daily Telegraph

Joan Laporta can look back at this reign as Barcelona president and have nothing to be ashamed at. Best thing to happen to Laporta was the failure to sign David Beckham and instead sign Ronaldinho.

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora wants to stay at Craven Cottage and looks set to reject moves by Birmingham City to land his signature this summer. Daily Mirror

It’s not like of the top six clubs are calling. If I was Zamora I’d be happy to stick with Fulham. Then again maybe Zamore is hoping Roy Hodgson takes him to Liverpool if he indeed goes there.

Manchester City are on the verge of tying up midfielder Yaya Toure’s £27m move from Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Something very wrong in the world if Yaya Toure commands 27 million.

The spending spree continues at Eastlands, with Manchester City said to have beaten Chelsea to 24-year-old Spain and Valencia forward David Silva’s signature for £29m. Daily Mail

This price for David Silva wouldn’t be so crazy. Would be scared of the beating he would take in English football however.

England midfielder Joe Cole is set to reject Arsenal and join Manchester United after being released by Chelsea. the Sun

I’m sure Fergie was impressed when Joe Cole scored at Old Trafford.

Wigan are hoping to finally seal the £6.5m transfer of Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli.
Full story: Daily Mail

This move has been rumoured since the start of the year. Time to make this happen.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is so worried about the effect England’s World Cup tensions are having on Wayne Rooney, he has phoned the striker to offer a pep talk. the Guardian

Sir Alex Ferguson must hate the World Cup. He had to deal with the David Beckham fallout in 1998, Roy Keane in 2002, Ronaldo and Rooney in 2006. He must wonder what is next?