Image from Uefa Euro.

Portugal (1) vs Germany (2)

Half-time

9’ The game has started with intense action with both teams exchanging shots towards the goal, however, both are still finding their net

Lineup:

Portugal: 4-2-3-1 – Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo, Pepe, Ferreira, Carvalho, Bosingwa, Simao, Petit, Moutinho, Deco, Nuno Gomes, Meirelles

Germany: 4-4-2 – Michael Ballack, Lehmann, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm, Friedrich, Schweinsteiger, Rolfes, Hitzlsperger, Podolski, Klose.

Uefa Euro 2008 is already in the quarterfinals and we have seen a lot of action and especially a lot of hot fans.

Picture from here.

Uefa Euro 2008 has started and above is a promotional video for Uefa Euro 2008.

Reports have circulated that FIFA has continued is capitalistic control of everything about FIFA World Cup and as such they have registered the following names in different trademark and governing bodies:

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA, WORLD CUP 2010, RSA 2010, FOOTBALL WORLD CUP, FIFA WORLD CUP, SOUTH AFRICA 2010, SA 2010, 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP, AFRICA 2010, SOCCER WORLD CUP,
WORLD CUP, SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP, 2010, ALL NAMES OF ALL SA VENUE CITIES WITH THE FIGURE 2010 BEHIND THEM, TWENTY TEN, WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA, CONFEDERATIONS CUP, WIN IN AFRICA FOR AFRICA, FOOTBALL FOR A BETTER WORLD,

I think FIFA should also register every year in the calendar after all, they have yearly tournaments. How about every country?

Last years’ letter from FIFA:

Dear Sirs

I am writing on behalf of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) with respect to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. FIFA owns the exclusive rights around the world in a number of trade marks and copyright works created for the tournament, including but not limited to the Official Emblem, Mascots, FIFA World Cup Trophy and numerous word marks such as FIFA WORLD CUP (the “FIFA Marks”). FIFA has various exclusive contractual arrangements in place with sponsors and licensees around the world relating to the exploitation of such rights in accordance with strict terms. Please see the attached information sheet.

We have discovered that FIFA’s Marks are being misused in the following way on the website under your control and/or legal ownership at: http://www.worldcupblog.org/

** Unauthorised use of FIFA’s copyright and trade mark protected logos
1) the Official Emblem of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and
2) the FIFA World Cup Trophy, in relation to the unauthorised sale of tickets. (The Local Organising Committee of the 2006 FIFA World Cup will contact you separately on the issue of tickets). *

FIFA has not consented to this activity and consequently, this is a clear infringement of FIFA’s rights and/or a misuse of FIFA’s marks. Such activity is likely to cause material damage and harm to FIFA and its sponsors or licensees.

FIFA requires that you_* immediately*_ remove the offending material and/or cease the offending activity within the next 24 hours. Please note that further monitoring will take place to ensure that this request is fulfilled and the infringement is not repeated, and that* FIFA’s rights and those of its sponsors and licensees are protected.*

Yours faithfully
Karen Fan
2006 FIFA World Cup™
Media Research & Monitoring Centre
Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd

****************************************
Deutsch:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
Wir schreiben Ihnen namens und im Auftrag der Fédération Internationale
de Football Association (FIFA), Hitzigweg 11, 8032 Zürich, Schweiz. Die
FIFA veranstaltet die FIFA Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft Deutschland
2006™. In diesem Zusammenhang bestehen für die FIFA weltweit und
exklusiv diverse gewerbliche Schutzrechte. Dazu gehören nicht nur das
Offizielle Logo, das Maskottchen und die FIFA WM-Trophäe, sondern auch
diverse andere Wortmarken wie zum Beispiel FIFA WM 2006 (die
“FIFA-Marken”). Die FIFA hat weltweit zahlreiche exklusive Verträge mit
Sponsoren und Lizenznehmern geschlossen, in denen diesen die exklusive
Nutzung unserer Marken unter genau definierten Bedingungen eingeräumt
wurde. Beachten Sie dafür das beigefügte Informationsblatt.

Wir haben festgestellt, dass die FIFA-Marken in rechtlich unzulässiger
Weise auf der Website*/ [konkretisiert in der englischen Fassung]/*
abgebildet sind. Für den Inhalt dieser Website sind Sie ausweislich des
Impressums rechtlich verantwortlich. Der rechtswidrige Gebrauch der
FIFA-Marken stellt sich konkret wie folgt dar:

1. */[konkretisiert in der englischen Fassung]/*

Für die Nutzung der FIFA-Marken hat die FIFA Ihnen gegenüber keine
Zustimmung erteilt. Deshalb ist diese Nutzung unserer Marken
rechtswidrig. Diese Nutzung der FIFA-Marken geeignet, gegenüber der FIFA
und seinen Sponsoren und Lizenznehmern einen materiellen Schaden zu
verursachen.

Deshalb fordern wir Sie auf, diese rechtsverletzenden Aktivitäten*
innerhalb der nächsten 24 Stunden* einzustellen. Sollten Sie dieser
Aufforderung nicht oder nicht fristgemäß nachkommen, werden wir umgehend
eine Durchsetzung unserer Rechte veranlassen. Wegen der Eilbedürftigkeit
der Sache kommt eine Fristverlängerung nicht in Betracht. Bitte beachten
Sie, dass wir Ihre entsprechenden Aktivitäten auch künftig beobachten
und unsere Rechte gegebenenfalls durchsetzen werden.

****************************************
Español:
Estimados Señores:
Me dirijo a ustedes en nombre de la Federation Internationale de
Football Association (FIFA) en relación con la Copa Mundial de la FIFA
Alemania 2006. La FIFA es propietaria universal de todos los derechos
exclusivos de un gran número de marcas comerciales y derechos de autor
creados para dicho torneo, entre los que se incluyen, entre otros, el
emblema oficial, las mascotas, el Trofeo de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA y
muchas otras marcas tales como la Copa Mundial de la FIFA (las “marcas
FIFA”). La FIFA ha firmado varios contratos exclusivos con
patrocinadores y titulares de licencia a escala mundial en cuanto a la
explotación de dichos derechos de conformidad con estrictos criterios.
Sírvanse leer la hoja de información adjunta.

Hemos descubierto que, en el portal*/ [Sírvase consultar el texto en
inglés antes señalado]/* que ustedes administran y/o poseen legalmente,
las marcas FIFA son objeto de abuso, tal como se detalla a continuación:

1. */[Sírvase consultar el texto en inglés antes
   señalado]/*

La FIFA no ha aprobado esta actividad; por lo tanto, se trata de una
clara infracción a los derechos de la FIFA y/o al abuso de las marcas de
la FIFA. Dicha actividad puede ocasionar daños materiales y perjudicar a
la FIFA, así como a sus patrocinadores o titulares de licencia.

La FIFA les solicita que retiren_* inmediatamente*_ el material
agraviante y/o que cesen de realizar dichas actividades agraviantes
dentro de las próximas 24 horas. Tengan en cuenta que se seguirá
realizando labores de control, a fin de que este pedido sea atendido y
que la infracción no se repita, a fin de velar por los* derechos de la
FIFA, así como los de sus patrocinadores y titulares de licencias*.

The FIFA ranking is in favor of Brazil and Argentina as their Copa America stint managed to trick the computations while Italy, France and Germany are drinking beers and chilling out awaiting their next game for the Uefa Euro 2008 qualifier.

Brazil has now regained the top spot in the FIFA world ranking jumping two places. Argentina who came second at Copa America is at number 2, up three places.

Italy is not at third place followed by France and Germany for the fourth and fifth spot. I am pretty sure these rankings would change as we get closer to Uefa Euro 2008.

Just look at this happy portrait of Brazil winning Copa America 2007. It was a come from behind victory but nevertheless, they would only remembered as the winners in Venezuela.

Image source from ESPN

Brazil was spectacular throughout the game finishing with 3 goals while Argentina never saw the ball behind the net.

Julio Baptisa came up with a back breaker by scoring very early in the game—4th minute. Argentina captain Roberto Ayala helped Brazil extend the lead by scoring on his own goal before half-time and Brazilian Daniel Alves finishing off Argentina for good.

It was an interesting outcome given that all indications point that Argentina should win the title against Brazil.

1. Their coach, Alfio Basile, has a 19 game winning streak in Copa America dating back to 1991 and 1993 when their squad won the tournament.
2. Argentina is on a scoring rampage with 16 goals in 5 games breezing one opponent after another.
3. Brazil is on shaky ground losing to Mexico in the group stage and narrowly winning against Uruguay via penalty kicks.
4. Dunga’s confidence is shaken up and his competency is in question prior to the finals.
5. Argentina is all fired up since they are looking for their first title after 14 years and looking to crush Brazil.

Brazil won through tactics:

1. Their organized and well timed fouls in the midfield ensured the scary Argentina flowing game was broken to pieces.
2. Brazil slowed the pace after scoring a goal and made sure to clamp down on defense which resulted in a number of counterattacks.
3. Brazil dragged the game and went as far as getting time wasting calls from the referee.

Dunga did not have the best people on his side; but he clearly stirred Brazil to victory through tactics and well planned out game.

Brazil is definitely looking good going into FIFA World Cup 2010.

Picture above via FIFA site.

It is a joy to watch two opposing philosophies slug it out in the game with Brazil playing beautiful football with grace dancing to Samba music; Uruguay on the other hand are the rugged boys using physical strength to outpower their opponents.

The game was very tight all game long finishing with 2 goals a piece. Maicon scored the first goal for Brazil on the 13th mark, Diego Forlan of Uruguay answered back to tie the score at 1 a piece. Julio Baptista gave Brazil the go ahead goal before half time. Uruguay fought back all game long until they tied the score with 20 minutes remaining on a goal scored by Sebastian ’ El Loco’ Abreu via a Forlan pass.

Brazil won a goal in the penalty shootout 5-4 with Robinho, Juan, Gilberto, Silva and Diego scoring. Andres Scotti, Ignacio Gonzalez, Cristian Rodriguez and Sebastian Abreu gave Uruguay 4 goals in the penalty kick.

Brazil goes on to play in the finals against either Argentina or Mexico. My take is that Argentina is going all the way to the finals; though it would be another close match. It could be remembered that Argentina won a goal in the closing minutes against Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2006.

He has the experience which could prove valuable for the team and as such, he should be hopeful and proud of carrying the England flag on his shoulders. Steve McLaren would still be talking to Jamie and hopefully they could mend their difference and find a suitable strategy to make the most of his capacity.

Jamie has this to say:

All I can do is play as well as I can for Liverpool. I’ve never played that well for England because I’ve played a lot of the time at full-back.

There’s that many people he’s [England manager Steve McClaren] played ahead of me. It’s a game of opinions.

But when you’re at my age they are all younger than me, they are all going to improve and maybe I won’t at my age.

I’m 29, I’ve been doing it for eight years and obviously I haven’t proved it enough so it’s not going to change now is it?

It’s not like I’ve just got in the squad and I’ve jumped out.

But it’s looking like that and as I said, if there was a major injury crisis and the four centre-halves who he obviously picks ahead of me are all injured and he’s absolutely desperate then of course I would (come back), yeah.

Nelson Acosta simply said—I’m quitting the team. Sounds good as Chile needs a breathe of fresh air and hopefully they could snatch someone to bring them back to respectability and probably make the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

During the first run of the polls, Dunga could hardly get a positive vote; things have changed since then.

Go and vote for Dunga’s work ethic poll.

Brazil came up firing from the start as Dunga’s Brazilian side quickly scored 15 minutes into the game via Juan who exposed the weak defensive formation of Chile. Despite being in a crowded area, Juan simply headed an uncontested shot that found the back of the net. Julio Baptista and Robinho finished the first half with one goal each.

Robinho, Josue and Vagner Love finished the demolition job with one goal each in the second half. The outstanding 30 metres goal by Chilean Humberto Suazo was not enough to give Chile any credit going out of the tournament.

Brazil has a long way to go towards FIFA World Cup 2010, but they are definitely getting better and better each game with bumps here and there along the way.

More than anything else, I believe Steve McClaren is the one who should prove a point for England. The squad was spectacular in the last FIFA World Cup and their current team which was supposed to be the same line up as before is far from half of their previous face.

Steve has put in a lot of changes starting in getting rid of David Beckham who should have provided the leadership and maturity England needs to develop its young core like Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

David Beckham has already expressed his desire to play in FIFA World Cup and his inclusion simply makes the team far better than how it is holding up right now. You would bet Steve McClaren is not smart enough to recognize how he has enigireed

Injuries

Gary Neville of Manchester United sprained his ankle ligament which is a big loss to England since he is at the core of England playing the right back. This is a hurdle that Steve should be able to handle .

Call-ups

Steve McClaren who has shown how to move and omit his England players at will seems to be softening a bit and has called in Gareth Barry from Aston Villa to fill-in the void left by Neville who has suffered a torn ligament.

Prove something

C’mon Steve, you’re next game against Israel is not a venue to test your players, but rather a venue to decide whether to keep you as manager or not.

Their team is becoming more deadly as their core roster of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Ruben Gago, Higuain and Tevez are maturing just fine.

Lionel Messi is expected to lead this charge as he is perhaps the youngest but most talented and mature player on the roster of Argentina. He has the ability to play at the same level with the likes of Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho.

On the contrary, my money is still on Brazil even if they have slipped to number 3 in World Rankings.