You're sounding like a trader
No, horses have never been my specialty... only when gifted to me, then I do not mind.
do you ignore the fundamentals of soccer teams, and bet strictly on their technicals?
That depends on who is playing...
But I will always prefer the inspired free flowing style of the Latin Americans, particularly Brazil and Argentina, over the fast, long pass and almost mechanized game of the Europeans...
At present the sport and World Cup is expanding to Asia and Africa, and I imagine more styles will be developed.
Brazilans invented what they call "jogo bonito" (pretty game), if you ever watched the Brasil team of the 60's and early 70's you will understand what I mean.
The Brasil of Pelé, Jairzihno, Babá, Gerson, Amarildo, Garrincha, and others like them, played soccer like no-one has ever played, and it is doubtful a team of such incredible individual talent could be put together again.
That team became three times World Champions, Sweeden (58), Chile (62) and Mexico (70) to forever keep the initial World Cup, called the Jules Rimet Cup.
I saw the final in 1970 in Mexico City, in a gigantic stadium with 110,000 singing the "batucada" (or Brazilian torcida war cry).
Brazil defeated the Italians 4 x 1, with the Italians scoring first... so after the initial shock, Brasill regained their composure and went on to erase the Italians off the field, with incredible magic. and 4 masterful goals.
In fairness, to the Italians, it must be said that they arrived to the final in a total state of exhaustion since a few days earlier, in the semifinal, they defeated the West Germans 4 x 3 in overtime in the most extraordinary game of soccer I ever saw...
The Germans scored the initial goal, then the Italians went ahead 2 x 1, the Germans came back and within the 90 minutes of regulation they tied the game in the last minute.
Back then, there was no sudden death, (or as it is called now, "golden goal"), so they played two more periods of 15 minutes each... I do not know if you have ever played soccer, but after 90 minutes of absolute continuous running, there is not much left in you to continue for another 30 minutes...
Well, these two teams, gave it all... the Germans scored and seemingly looked like they would be the winners, at 3 x 2. The Italians never gave up and tied the game....
By this time, the entire stadium (all 110,000 people), knew we were watching the best game in the history of soccer --and that is no exaggeration.
Within minutes left (before going to Penalty shots --the most horrendous way of finishing a soccer game), the Italians scored the wining goal, to get ahead for the final 4 x 3 score...
At the end, there was a standing ovation to both teams that lasted for several minutes, everyone understanding that it would be doubtful we would ever be able to watch a match like the one we just had, any time in the near future... (I have not).
You would have had to be there to understand the incredible awe in which we all stood there, recognizing these two teams...
p.s. In the same tournament, the Germans, had arrived at the semifinal by defeating the English in the quarter finals, in similar fashion, in overtime.... after the Germans had tied the game, in the last minute of regular time of that game the final score was 3 x 2.
Somehow of a sweet revenge for the defeat given by the English in the final in 1966 at Wembley Stadium (I was there too), again, the Germans tied the game 2 x 2 in the last minute
The very controversial third goal by the English in overtime --who many claim the ball never went in, hitting the cross bar, and then at a 90 degree angle, hitting the ground, then rebounding away from the goal... The referee, had to consult with the linesman, and after several minutes of discussion, protest. etc. etc... the referee gave the goal to the English... the final score was 4 x 2 for England, who score once again in the last minute of overtime... as insurance you could say, but the key moment was that third goal, after which the Germans seemed to be playing in total disgust, for the call made by the referee...
and I could go on.... Soccer is more than a sport, it is a passion, in Brasil, soccer is a near religion, mind you, without inquisition... <g> Unless you are the head coach of the national team, then, you have one mission, which is: you win the World Cup.
If you do, you are the national hero, if you don't you are a national disgrace, the newspapers will eat you alive for it. |
