10/10/06 I NEEDS ME A FUTBOL FIX, I'M JONESING BAD MAN

I'm not into the current NFL season too much because I've been watching a lot of soccer on TV lately. I finally cancelled my subscription to NFL Ticket. I missed almost all of the Minnesota Vikings games for the last three years so its really no biggy. I did however subscribe to Setanta, which televises soccer from the English and Scottish Premiere Leagues, the Champions League and UEFA Cup. In addition to this, Fox Soccer Channel airs the EPL, the Italian Serie A, Spain's La Liga, plus the Dutch, German, Mexican and Argentine Leagues. As if this was not enough, GOLTV airs La Liga, Serie A, Brazil, Mexican, Honduran and Columbian League games as well. I could push the limit and watch games aired on a couple of Argentine networks as well as all the Mexican League games on Telemundo, Univision and ESPN. This adds up to a lot of soccer. When I was growing up, the only games I use to watch were PBS's Soccer Made In Germany with Toby Charles. Soccer has come along way. But the real reason for this posting is the current international break the leagues take so as to fit in International scheduled games. In Europe, the qualifiers for the 2008 European Cup have started. This is fine, but were talking Andorra vs. Croatia, Poland vs. Kazakhstan and England vs. Macedonia. This doesn't cut it. So to pass the time on a valuable day off without a game to watch. I thought I'd post the best goals of the first month or so of the English Premiere League. So for your entertainment here they are. 1) Xabi Alonso's goal from midfield vs. my team, Newcastle United. 2) Kevin Doyle's 16 second goal for Reading vs. Sheffield United. 3) Didier Drogba's volley vs. Liverpool. 4) Robin Van Persie's volley vs. Charlton. Click on the videos and judge for yourself.

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For most of the just concluded World Cup I was pretty much working or traveling. I purchased our new TiVo way too late to learn the integricies in order to successfully tape the the best games of the month long competition. Well, I really went into the month long tournament really thinking Italy was gonna win it all. Throughout the month my prediction changed from Holland to Portugal, then Argentina and ultimately back to Italy. There were many highlights and plenty dumb ass Referee calls to count. There was underachievers such as England, Spain and Ronaldinho. There were overachievers such as Ghana, Australia and Frank Ribery. There were the many yellow cards and red cards. Most of all the was Zinedine Zidane. France almost failed to qualify for the World Cup, but thanks to a call to arms and out of retirement the return of the conquering geriatrics such as Zidane, Barthez, Thurman and Makelele, France qualified. Nobody gave the French a chance. Yet they came to play, and when the dust settled Spain, Germany and the ruff, tumble and dive master Portugal lay by the roadside as France warmed up for Italy in the July 9th Final. It is safe to say Zizou rallied Les Bleus with his magic and command of the midfield. Against the Italians, Zizou was pushed to the limit. Marco Materazzi pushed the right button to turn Zizou from Hero to Goat. In a overtime exchange of words, what Materazzi said changed the course of history. Zizou gave in and addressed the situation with his noggin. Unfortunately this has become the most memorable moment of Germany 2006. Well, what has transpired is late night jokes and calls for the stripping of Zidane's MVP award. Too much I say. Forget what happened. Let the head butt stand. Let the red card stand. Let Materazzi walk. He knows what he said. I say the Azzuri are deserving World Champions, and Zidane is the best French player ever. Allez Les Bleus et Azzuri too!

p.s. you gotta love the Zidane internet game though (this DAM one too)

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I've never considered myself a geek at all. My enthusiasm for technical stuff is strictly professional, kinda. The only computer class I ever took was DP101 many years ago at a community college and it was a class so interesting it helped me decide I'd never become a computer programmer. Working for Apple has brought me closer to technology than I've ever been. The fact remains I usually have to BS my way through shit because the Gigga Bytes worth of information I come across goes in one ear and out the other. But wait a minute, I did mention Apple and the company has made its mark by making complicated stuff understandable. That's where Bruno the programmer comes in. Part of MAC OS 10.4 Tiger was the introduction of Widgets. Small little HTML applications, Widgets splash onto your desktop and allow you to track airline flights, convert Dollars to Euros, check Apple stock and have Bart Simpson on your desktop for no apparent reason. As you might of read on a earlier post, I have become hooked on a certain daily radio show. Nick Geber and Steven Cohen are on air Monday through Friday 10AM to 12PM PST on the Sirius Satellite Radio show World Soccer Daily. The boys talk football from the English Premier League to the World Cup. If needed they'll mention Major League Soccer too. The lads call it like it is with their views and opinions of the Beautiful Game, Joga Bonito! The live and recorded streams of call in fans ranging from the robotic Cameron to the "nails on the chalk board" Mike from New York. Join Nick and Steven call out subpar efforts on the pitch from such overrated players as Landon Donovan to Peter Crouch. One day I had a great Idea. I decided to attempt to create a Widget for the boys and submit it to Apple to post on the Widgets website. Well this little idea proved challenging but I was able to create and complete my first piece of technology. I submitted it to the show and the in turn introduced it to the world. So Mom, Dad, Wife, Kids, Brothers, Sisters and Friends, I'm coming out here on my blog. I Bruno Simon Valdez am a Geek. Judge me, praise me or even envy me, but do download my widget and enjoy the best radio show on the net. Small detail, you'll need a Mac, so if you don't have one, get one soon. You're running out of excuses not to. (I mean you BB)

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Maybe you've heard of it. Thirty two nations convene in one country and for one month they go at it until a World Champion collects the trophy. The FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 kicks off on June 9th when host Germany plays Costa Rica. A new World Champion will be crowned in Munich on July 9th, 2006. Many are saying the favorite Brazil will samba their way to the podium unchallenged. I don't think so. Others say Italy, but the current match fixing scandal in Italy could reek havoc in the heads of the Azzuri. Others claim the Messi led Argentines or the Rooney-less English. I think we will see a new champ in the form of an underdog much like Greece won the 2004 European Championship. I say Germany, Brazil, Italy, Mexico and England will flop. I'm looking at Portugal and Spain being surprise Semifinalist, but the Czech Republic will take the whole thing. My surprise of the tournament will be the U.S. and Czech Republic eliminating Italy in the Group Stages with the U.S. advancing past Brazil in the best game of WC2006. In the mean time, take a look at these videos to get you in the mood.

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ESPN recently announced their broadcast team for this summers World Cup. Dave O'Brien, JP Dellacamera and Rob Stone have been unveiled as the voices we are to tolerate during this most important sporting event on the planet. Anybody who watches American soccer on TV would recognize Dellacamera from MLS and US Mens and Womens National Team games. Although the best of the worst, Dellacamera is no match for Derek Rae and Tommy Smith, both of ESPN International. MLS games are a pain to watch because of the amateurish way Rob Stone and Marcelo Balboa babble on, and to choose Stone as an announcer for the World Cup is nauseating. Dave O'Brien made his debut calling soccer on 2/28/06 with the US vs. Poland friendly and was appalling. O'Brien is a seasoned baseball announcer with no soccer experience, and for ESPN to name him, Stone and Dellacamera as the World Cup broadcast team is unacceptable. In response, there is an online petition to bring the discontent of these choices to ESPN attention led by the lads at World Soccer Daily. If you plan on tuning in ESPN this summer in High Definition or not, I urge you to sign the petition and make a difference. If ESPN does not take notice and support soccer fans across America, I will be watching the World Cup on Univision or on ESPN with the volume down and listening to Spanish Radio. Come on ESPN, get it right before its too late.

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02/04/06 WIDE WORLD OF CALCIO: MONDAY MORNING MEDIA CAMPISTA

On the Eve of Super Bowl XV I thought it would be the perfect time to resurect my 03/14/05 post and talk about the only football that really counts.

World Soccer Daily Podcast: Growing up in the U.S. I've only recently satisfied a life long thirst for quality soccer coverage. I can now see live games on DirecTV from around the globe on a daily basis. The internet has brought futbol news to my lap 24 hours a day. My latest futbol vice is a Podcast. Everyday on Sirius Satellite Radio's World Soccer Daily, America's only daily radio show dedicated to The World's Game, is offered in Podcast form on iTunes. Nick Gerber and Steven Cohen are two Englishmen who are passionate, honest, crude, rude, funny, and on the money on their commentary of the state of futbol in England and around the world. If your any kind of soccer fan (even ManU or Arsenal fans) you'll appreciate these guys dedication to pure futbol. Nick and Steve also host Fox Football Friday on Fox Soccer Channel, but they're better on radio.
Sol Campbell's Coming Out Party: On Wednesday 2/1/06, West Ham beat Arsenal 3-2 in a game where English International Sol Campbell caused two goals. Campbell was replaced, and left the stadium in shame and disappeared from sight. "Sensitive Sol" eventually made contact with Manager Arsène Wenger. As of Saturday, the latest on the Sol incident had grown and the British tabloids reported Campbell had a falling out with his gay lover, Jermaine Jenas. Taking the British futbol fans into consideration, Campbell's career is ruined. The crowds are going to rip him a new one (sorry). Many are saying, if this coming out party is true, Campbell's career is over.
Goal; The Movie: On May 12th, the latest futbol film will hit the silverscreen. GOAL is a story of a impoverished Mexican American soccer player growing up in L.A. who gets recruited, and goes to England to play for Newcastle United. This film seems to be the best thing to happen to Newcastle this year. Its tough to be a Magpie. Sort of like a Minnesota Vikings fan. By the looks of the trailer, this film looks as its a genuine good futbol film, unlike Bend it like Beckham or Kicking and Screaming.
African Nations Cup: As I right this posting, it looks as if I missed an epic Semi-Final Game between Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. Real futbol fans in the U.S, are livid over the non-coverage of the Africans Nations Cup. No network major or minor pick up the coverage of this important tournament. This could be because they see it as no interest in African Football or they are just dumbshits. The Ivory Coast beat heavily favored Cameroon 12-11 in Penalty Kicks with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba decisive goal sending Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and the rest of the favored Indomptable Lions home. And I missed it, Thank You very much!!

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I've come to a realization. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has their head up their asses. On Tuesday December 6th, 2005 FIFA announced the group seeds for the upcoming 2006 World Cup. Based on a archaic formula based on past performances in past World Cups and FIFA Rankings, the soccer governing body announced as group seeds Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Mexico. Say What? Mexico? Last time I checked Señores Fifones, Mexico was eliminated in 2002 by fellow CONCACAF member, the United States who reach the Quarter Finals. In 1994, the U.S. lost to Brazil in the Quarter Finals. The last time Mexico reached the Quarter Finals was in 1986. Consider this, Mexico not only came in second behind the U.S. in the recently concluded CONCACAF regional qualifying tournament, they watched the U.S. win the CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship in July 2005 from home. I don't get it. The U.S. has never been "ranked" ahead of Mexico in the FIFA World Rankings. Apparently these rankings carry more weight than do results from the pitch. If you think I'm just ranting about this, please read the ESPN article by Jen Chang. Also, although I pull for and totally support Spain each and every World Cup, I cannot believe FIFA seeded Spain. Spain barely qualified this time around on the last day of qualifying by defeating Slovakia in a playoff. On Friday December 9th the World Cup Draw will determine the groups for Germany 2006. We will then learn the teams the U.S. and Mexico will face in 2006. I hope FIFA keeps tabs on who will advance further next summer. I know I will. Update: U.S. draws Italy, Czech Republic and Ghana. Mexico draws Portugal, Angola and Iran.

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Chelsea Boss Ponders Italian Wine
Spoleto, 09/18/05 - (ANSA) The Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich could be planning to extend his business interests from soccer and oil into wine, according to reports from this central Italian town. Abramovich, best known as the boss of British soccer champions Chelsea, has stopped at several of Italy's top wine cellars during a visit in recent days. Rumours of a possible purchase started circulating last week at the 'I Vini Nel Mondo' wine fair in Spoleto, which was attended by 200 top vintners. Abramovich is reportedly after a location with enough room for an olive orchard as well as a vineyard. Although only 38, the Chelsea boss would have no problems affording any site he sets his heart on. In March he was listed by Forbes Magazine as the richest Russian and the 21st richest person in the world, with an estimated fortune of 13.3 billion dollars. He has poured cash into Chelsea since acquiring the club in 2003, investing in a string of expensive players that have helped bring the team to the top of Britain's soccer ranks. The Russian oil magnate started his wine tour at the Lungarotti winery in Umbria, the first in Italy to be run by two women, which is famous for its Rubesco. He also stopped at the Sassicaia and Ornellaia wineries, which are perhaps even more well-known abroad. These both produce some of the finest so-called "super Tuscans", revolutionary reds created using modern techniques. If the latest rumours about Abramovich are borne out, he would be joining a long line of celebrities that have cashed into the Italian myth and taken up winemaking in recent years. Simply Red's flame-haired leader singer, Mick Hucknall, has a vineyard on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily where he successfully produces a red Nero d'Avola wine which he has named Il Cantante, The Singer. Another music celebrity, Jim Kerr of Scottish rock band Simple Minds, also bought a Sicilian vineyard recently. French actors Gerard Depardieu and Carole Bouquete have a vineyard on the island of Pantelleria where they make their own version of its famous dessert wine 'passito'. Depardieu, who comes from a winemaking family, is said to have become a connoisseur of the wine during his frequent holidays on the island between Sicily and Libya. Most recently, an Italian red signature wine produced at the request of the legendary US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has proved a hit. Created by the Le Terrazze winery in the Marche, it was named after his 1974 album Planet Waves.

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Incase you missed it, on Saturday September 3rd the U.S. National Soccer Team qualified for its fifth straight World Cup. The Americans secured a slot for Germany 2006 by embarrassing arch rival Mexico 2-0 in Columbus, Ohio. Although it was a sweet victory over the "shit talking" Mexicans, it could have been a complete blow out if it not for two unfortunate misses by Landon Donavan and DeMarcus Beasley. In typical fashion, the Mexican Players, Coach, and Media blamed the loss on a lackluster performance by the Mexican Players, not once admitting they were completely outplayed by the gringos. Mexico's Argentine coach Ricardo LaVolpe went as so far as to say "Here, everyone's interested in baseball and American football and many people didn't even know that a soccer match was being played today," said LaVolpe. "So it's easy for them, because they aren't playing under any pressure. My mother, my grandmother or my great grandmother could play in a team like that." To borrow a line from Deon Sanders, "Scoreboard baby." UPDATE: Damn it! On 09/07/05 Mexico beat Panama 5-0 to book passage to Germany 2006.

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04/22/05 UNITED STATES 1 ENGLAND 0, SAY WHAT?

For a long time the United States 1-0 victory over England in the 1950 World Cup was considered the most important event in US Soccer History. Since then other events have had equal or more relevance. Paul Caligiuri's long range volley against Trinidad & Tabago in 1989 sent the US to Italia 1990, the first appearence of the US in a World Cup since 1950. It was considered "the goal heard around the world". The defeat of highly favored Colombia in Pasadena in the 1994 World Cup was significant for the US, but tragic for Colombia. Andres Escobar whos own goal gave the US the victory, paid the ultimate price when he returned to Colombia. The US defeat of Portugal and Mexico in 2004 rank up there as well. Personally, anytime the US knocks Mexico out of the World Cup is a great event in itself. The US to this day is still ranked behind Mexico in the world rankings, yet ahead of Portugal. Judge for yourself. "The Game of Their Lives" is a film about the 1950 US team. The film details the rag tag team which was assembled hastly and sent to Brazil. Its the first big time soccer film since "Bend it like Beckham" and Sly's "Victory". Oh yes a side note, the US vs England full squad Rematch/ Friendly May 28th 2005 (ESPN 12PM PST).

Some recent headlines from the Wide World of Calcio:

Batigol ya se va. After a long and productive career, Gabriel Batistuta is retiring. Read.
My favorite player of all time and tocayo, Bruno Conti is named the new coach of Roma. Read.
The British are coming, the British are coming. Not to San Diego though :( Read.
Diego Armando Maradona, belly be gone. Read.
Paolo Di Canio fined €10,000 ($US13,400) for Fascist Salute. Read.
U.S. Keepers in opposite FA Cup Semis, could meet in FA Cup Final. Read.

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I have a new favorite soccer team! Palermo from the Italian Serie A are the talk of Italian Soccer. After 31 years, Palermo finds itself in the top flight treatening to qualify for a spot in the Champions League next season. I've just seen them defeat Roma 2-0 live from Sicily on GolTV. There's a couple of points I have to make here. My Great Grandfather was born in Palermo, Sicily. So my affiliation with Palermo is naturally solid. The most coolest thing about joining the Forza Parlemo is the cool Pink and Black uniforms Don't be surprised if you see me sporting a new jersey pretty soon. It might have to wait though. With the way the dollar is performaning overseas, I can spend the money on some wine. Maybe some from Sicily.

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Gol TV available on DirecTV starting February 22
January 11, 2005. Gol TV will be available to DirecTV and DirecTV Para Todos subscribers on February 22. DirecTV and DirecTV Para Todos subscribers can get Gol TV in English on channel 614 by subscribing to the premium DirecTV Sports Pack for an extra $12 each month...
FOX Soccer Channel to debut on February 7
January 11, 2005 (updated January 26, 2005). FOX Sports World (US) will be renamed FOX Soccer Channel on February 7 at 12:01am Eastern Time (February 6 at 9pm Pacific Time), when FOX Soccer Channel will air a 1-hour launch special program...

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