One of things I've been interested in since the recent FIFA corruption debacle and its subsequent
disappearance under the regular news cycle is the transformation of the impartial sports journalist
into anti-FIFA crusader.
I don't think this is necessarily a negative development, and we're far off from seeing any
editorializing in actual news articles, but the line is slowly blurring.
Our post last week condemning CAF's decision to ban Togo for two Africa Cup of Nations
tournaments for withdrawing from this year's event following the deadly attack on their team bus
mirrored much of the world reaction: it saw the draconian punishment as rash, insensitive and
wrong.
As I mentioned when we discussed what constituted an American-style of play here a couple of
weeks ago, outsiders like to form a stereotypical view of how a national team plays based all-too
roughly on certain past performances. It helps us organise stories in our heads about each team
when the World Cup rolls around every four years.
The idea of a distinctive national style of play is not entirely foolish, but the stereotype
being a stereotype is not exactly a straightforward representation of reality.
There are many examples of this, but I'll give you a timely one from Gabrielle Marcotti today on
the English belief about the robotic German style of play, one ever undermined by how numerous
German players actually play:
Many have noted the fact that Germany has a truly multi-cultural side at this World Cup, one
which draws its heritage from a dozen or so nations as diverse as Turkey, Poland, Ghana and
Brazil.
Another home game, another win, another game with over three goals. Nearly three months into the
season and we have not scored less than three goals in a home game in any competition, it shows
just how strong we have been at home this season and any team visiting the Grove will be aware of
this record and aware of how strong the squad we have is.
I have found that listening to most podcasts is not good for my health, especially my blood
pressure. With very few exceptions, most notably the Guardian's fantastic Football Weekly, the
drivel spewed forth in these little mp3s is enough to make one scratch their eyes out. None more so
at times than the BBC's 606.
Big Story
So, despite protests from fans and politicians, Newcastle United owner
Mike Ashley has further cemented his unpopularity on Tyneside by announcing the
renaming of St. James' Park apparently believing that adding an "@" symbol to it means the club is
respecting history.
Big Story Yesterday's stunning day of UEFA Champions League
action is of course the focus of discussion today, with every game providing talking juicy points
for the press.
The British press naturally focused on Liverpool after their home defeat to
Lyon.
Big Story It's an absurdly hyperbolic headline from the Roar, but their
story of surveillance of fans is a little concerning, especially in the context of the long failure
of the Australian football authorities to understand that heavy-handed restrictions and
knuckle-headed security is not the way to grow the sport in a country with far more established
sporting cultures.
Gabrielle Marcotti of the UK times online and Sports illustrated has a great article highlighting
Real Madrids distinct advantage it has over all it European rivals.
"The answer to the first question is multi-layered.
Giancarlo Rinaldi has a layman's opinion on Silvio Berlusconi's outburst at his manager Carlo
Ancelloti. You can read Giancarlo's piece here .Giancarlo ascribes Silvio's frustration to kick the
cat syndrome.I along with Giancarlo feel its more shit flows down hill syndrome.An axiom i learnt
while living in Texas for six years.
Here we go again with Serie A Weekly giving you a list of five stories to read this lunchtime
that we have seen from around the web and enjoyed ourselves. Many of these will be about Italian
football of course but there is always room for something different and those will be here too.
Take a look at our recommendations, pass them on and be sure to leave a comment on these great
articles.
The glow of the tube, the buzz of the crowd...Let's kick off with Landon Donovan's post-match debut
TV hello to England.The ESPN Press Pass crew hosts Gabrielle Marcotti to weigh in on Donovan's
actual playing debut.MLS Insider Shawn Francis has a word with new NYRB general manager Erik
Soulpatch... erm, Soler.
So how much football do any of us actually watch in real life compared to what we watch on TV? And
how much is our opinion informed through the football media lens rather than through our own
personal experience and knowledge?
Much of what we know, or think we know, is based on the journalists, presenters, anchormen, and
ex-professionals that populate TV, radio and increasingly podcasts.
Listening to the game podcast with Gabrielle Marcotti i had learned that the sale of Roma to
billionaire George Soros was an inevitability. Then as soon as i heard that i read that Rosella
Sensi had confirmed the sale and it would be announced later this week. Rossella Sensi is the
daughter of Franco Sensi whom is the owner of Italpetroli.
