I never understood why the simplest of games never made the transition from physical to digital. In this video, the good people at Nike threw together one of the world's first digital pinball machines. Using an LCD screen along with a traditional pinball setup, they were able to replicate the regular pinball motion with soccer features for their store in Madrid. A part of Nike's 'Write the Future' campaign, they used soccer cleats as the flippers and obviously the soccer ball as the pinball. The action comes pretty damn close to the actual game. Check out the video and pray that they throw together something similar for the states. It'll make me want to hit up Niketown, that's for sure...
It's that time again. The time when the world can come together under one single banner, when countries put down their differences to duke it out on the pitch. It's also the time when everyone who doesn't watch soccer for 3 years and 11 months is automatically a soccer fan (people like you do annoy me). Rather than highlight the teams that I think are going to win (if you want to know, then ask), I figured it'd be better to highlight the players you might not know and how they'll be integral to their teams success. These players might not have the big Nike contracts or the press that, say, Christiano Ronaldo or Thierry Henry would. Yet, they do more for their squads than most people think. In fact, if any of these teams are going to win, these are the players that have to get some serious shine. Check these guys out, and get hyped for the #worldcup!!!
Yaya Toure - Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire's soccer history is a short one, on the international stage at least. They qualified for their first World Cup final in 2006 and didn't make it past the group stage. This year, however, they've got a new attitude and some younger players on the squad, including Yaya Toure. He's Kolo Toure's (Man. City defender) younger brother, so you know he's tough. Yaya is perfect at defensive midfielder, simply because of his large frame. He's got great technique for being primarily a defender, which gives Côte d'Ivoire another playmaker to put on the opposition's side. Also, he's rangy, which means he won't get beat in transition if there's a long kickoff from goal. Finally, Yaya's been linked in a move from Barcelona. They're pricing him and seeing what kind of offers they'll get on the open market this summer. Don't be surprised if you see Yaya show out during the World Cup, especially against teams that his clubmates are on...
Franck Ribery - France
Last time we saw Franck Ribery on the international stage (I don't count qualifiers and friendlies) he was starting for France in the 2006 World Cup and taking the torch from French-great Zinedine Zidane. This year, it's looking like he will be one of the best players on the squad, with Thierry Henry, William Gallas & Nicolas Anelka getting older. Franck is probably one of the most precise passers I've seen on the pitch in a while. He reminds me of Robert Pires, but a lot tougher. He has great finishing skill in the box as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he led France in goals this year, and became the captain for the next World Cup...
Sergio Aguero - Argentina
Everyone loves Lionel Messi. Hell, I do. Messi is a phenom, but Aguero is a pro in his own right. I guess it doesn't hurt that the two play in the same forward position on the Argentinian squad, or that Aguero is Diego Maradona's son-in-law. I feel like there is good football all around him, whether on Atletico Madrid, or on the Argentinian team. Where Messi is the flashier player, Aguero is a lot more technical in his style, although just as athletic. In order for Argentina to win, Aguero has got to add his scoring to their high-paced offense...
David Villa - Spain
If you were the top scorer in the Euro 2008, wouldn't you be a bit upset at being overlooked by the (Western) media? I think so. David Villa has been the underdog his entire career after suffering a nearly career-ending break of his femur at age 2. Now he's finally going to get some shine, as he signed with Barcelona less than a month ago after making mincemeat of the Primera Liga with Valencia and Zarazoga. His career at Valencia saw 107 goals in 168 appearances (something even Christiano Ronaldo can't boast), and he's probably got one of the quickest first steps in soccer. I look for him to go off on the international circuit, starting with this World Cup...
Carlos Vela - Mexico
I couldn't post this list without throwing up at least one Arsenal player. It was between Cesc Fabregas and this man, Carlos Vela. Since Fabregas was showing off during the 2008 Euro's it was only right to give Vela some shine. Vela's career has been marred by international citizenship issues, but when he's been on the pitch, he's been nothing short of brilliant. In fact, he does it all, providing great passing (all of Arsene Wenger's players are amazing passers) and quick shooting at the striker position. The only thing I worry about with Vela is his heath, as his career has also had a fair share on injuries in a short time. Even so, Vela has great body control, evidenced by the way he controls the ball off long passes and crosses. Mexico needs him to step up if they are to have a chance this year...
Every 4 years, the World Cup is played. And every 4 years, we get bombarded with commercials and advertising based around soccer. That's not a bad thing. It would just be cool if soccer got a little more press in those 3 years in between. Commercials like this show us why. Nike brought in pretty much, the most popular football players on the planet for an epic 3-minute spot about those players making their way into history books through game-changing plays. Along with appearances on the pitch from Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, Cannavaro, and Cesc Fabregas, to name a few, they had Kobe Bryant doing his best Ronaldinho impression after hitting a game winner himself. The action is crazy! I hope Nike and the rest of the world keep the spots like this coming...
With the 2010 World Cup coming up, this is such a trill video to watch.
If you ask me who my favorite directors are, there really are only two answers: Quentin Tarantino, and this man, Spike Lee. Spike's movies have been a portrayal into the mind of a black man who sees the world just as cynically I, and understands that race and media play much more of a role in everyday life than people think. However, for this piece, Spike chose to keep it close to home, which I admire. Most filmmakers are shrouded in mystery and allow their personalities to come out in the works they produce. Here, you can see Spike in a realm that few see him in: as father and at the same time, competitive sports junkie. He takes the opportunity to film his son Satchel's soccer team practice and shows them decked out in Arsenal's (best side in the Premiership!!!!) home kit. It's really interesting to see the interactions between the kids, the coach and Spike himself. Spike usually isn't this transparent. Check out the video, and keep praying for another Spike Lee Joint, like I am...
I haven't posted anything on the 2010 World Cup yet, because I wanted to wait until it got closer... But I seriously couldn't resist putting this up. The folks over at Undefeated clearly are just as excited about the most popular sporting event in the world as I am. They took their signature 3 strike logo, and added a splash of some of the flags of key countries involved this time around. Honestly, it's a simple premise, but for an event that comes around once every four years, I can stand for a bit of vanity. Check out the rest of the t-shirts, and look out for them on sale May 22nd at Undefeated...
Togo's national soccer team have been officially disqualified from the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The region's governing football body for football has confirmed that the team, known as the "Hawks", will take no further part in the tournament being hosted by Angola after failing to appear for their first group game against Ghana on Monday, according to CNN affiliate ITN.
The squad flew back home to Togo after three of their traveling party were killed and two players seriously injured by a machine-gun attack which occurred as their bus crossed the border into the northern, oil-rich state of Cabinda on Friday.
Why is death an impetus for lack of understanding? Or better yet, why does the death of a comrade (only word I wanted to use; I'm not a Commie) not inspire people instead of make them fearful and contentious? The latter is your stee-lo, FIFA. Togo was eliminated from the CAF African Nations Cup after failing to show for their first match. No, they weren't on a delayed flight or getting a new pair of shin-guards for Emmanuel Adebayor. THEY WERE GETTING ATTACKED BY MACHINE GUNS! I could understand if the team was being a fist full of assholes and just not showing up, but where do sympathy and reverence come into play?
Soccer has always been one of the sports I respected because of how regal and tradition-based it is without being a bore. Now, can that really be said? And better yet, what of the security of the rest of the squads in the Nations Cup? If the Togolese team is getting shot up before they even get to the tournament, then I shudder to think what could happen when all of the teams are together. And to that same effect, what's going to be the deal when the World Cup goes down in June?? Is the security going to be that loose? Whatever the case, FIFA, you guys need to both beef up your security and LET TOGO PLAY. By disqualifying them, you're letting those crazed attackers think they won, which would be the ultimate L, no matter who wins the Nations Cup...
Everyone knows who Ronaldinho is (or at least I hope so) purely off the ridiculous ball skills (pause) that the man has on the pitch. His dribbling is incomparable, but what happens when his sight is impaired (I was going to say 'taken away', but you'll see the end)?? Ronaldinho, as well as Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Xavi (Barca), Chiellini (Juventus), among others, put their 'impaired' dribbling to the test for FIFA 10. Check out the mastery of REAL football...
SportsCenter doesn't cover anything but football, baseball, and sometimes basketball and hockey. It actually blows how little coverage of anything not football or baseball they have. However, when they do cover something else, you can be pretty sure that it's gonna be either shocking or spectacular. This was the former. I know in every sport there is your fair share of pushing, shoving, pulling and little dirty tricks that the cameras rarely catch, but THIS is ridiculous. New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert does her best MMA impression on her opponents, and surprisingly gets no sort of punishment. No yellow cards, no red cards. No nothing. Justice, no. But entertainment, YES!! I suppose I could carve out some time for women's college soccer if it was like this all the time...
