Global Football Today » World Cup 2010

Copa America Group C: The Tale of the Darkhorse

GFT Editor — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:37:14 +0000

I hesitate to call any of the three Copa America groups a "Group of Death" and because Mexico is sending their B squad to the tournament, that eliminates the idea of this group being that often-used moniker.

Inside GFT – The World Cup GLOFTY Awards

GFT Editor — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:54:47 +0000

Just over two weeks ago, Spain left South Africa with the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy. There is good news to the other players and teams that left empty handed though – they now have a second chance at taking home hardware. In this segment of Inside GFT, the Global Football Today staff was surveyed on the different World Cup accomplishments. It was decided that there would be 10 GLOFTY awards handed out for GFT's first major international competition.

Post World Cup: Where Does France Go Now?

GFT Editor — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:23:12 +0000

Post World Cup Comments on Les Blues:

"We can only note the disaster with a French team where immature bullies order frightened children, with a helpless coach without any authority, a French Football Federation at bay". - Roselyne Bachelot, the French Minister of health, youth and sports.

Atema’s A-Team: World Cup Best XI

GFT Editor — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:06:53 +0000

So the World Cup is over, but I'm not quite ready to let it go. After a few days of reading about the matches and watching highlights, I have come up with my best eleven players and eight (b/c I couldn't decide) subs from the 2010 World Cup. So here they are:

La Furia Roja Survive Yellow Flurry and Oranje to Become World Champions

GFT Editor — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:40:31 +0000

Andres Iniesta lifts the World Cup in celebration with his fellow teammates following their victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup final.

Spain made history and won their first World Cup. They were the first European team to win outside Europe. They were the first champion to lose their first game. And along with Germany and France, they are one of the few teams to win consecutive tournaments: the Euros in 2008 and the World Cup in 2010.

Has It Been 40 Years Since the Greatest Team Ever?

GFT Editor — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:50:16 +0000

The Brazilian football team, 18th May 1970. (Back row left to right) Carlos Alberto, Baldocchi, Ado, Fontana, Piazza and Marco Antonio; (front row) Jairzinho, Gerson, Pele, Rivelino and Edu.

As we get ready to hunker down for the final of the World Cup and make sure our provisions do not run out (more beer), we are ready to indulge in one last clash — and please, let it be a good one. I was looking back at the 40th anniversary of possibly the finest World Cup in history, and the finest champion ever to raise the cup, thank you Brazil.

Watching this team is like reading Hemingway, listening to a young Sinatra sing, or seeing The Godfather -- you know you are looking at the best, and are not likely to see something as sterling for a very long time.

Is He Worth That Transfer Fee?: What Happens When an Economist and Football Fan Occupy the Same Body

GFT Editor — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:23:43 +0000

When an economist and a football fan occupy the same body, that person has an entirely different way of looking at the transfer market than journalists, managers, executives and supporters do. When an economist and a football fan occupy the same body, this is what you get:

As we come to the conclusion of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the inevitable transfer rumors will start to fly. Many players who stood out at this tournament, Sneijder for Holland or Ozil for Germany, will start to be mentioned with big money transfers and truly outrageous salary offers. But, are they truly outrageous? Is there some justification for the seemingly high salaries and massive transfer fees?

Mark Van Bommel: Assassin or Ultimate Acolyte?

GFT Editor — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:40:51 +0000

There’s a great scene in the Brian Clough bioflick, "The Damned United," where Clough confronts the brilliant Billy Bremner after he’s been sent off for various acts of overt thuggery in the 1974 Charity Shield match against Liverpool. “For God’s sake, Billy,” he says like a naive child. “You’re my Captain!”

I am a lover of the dark arts in football. A good friend of mine, a retired Mossad operative, is disgusted that I’ve placed Roy Keane and Nobby Stiles on my Facebook list of ‘Five Favorite Footballers’ before George Best, Bobby Charlton and Eric Cantona. Keane and Nobby were “dirty players." A couple of savages! A necessary evil in the game, to be sure, but not to be looked up to.

Spain Patiently Dismantles Germany

GFT Editor — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:59:53 +0000

Spain made history again, advancing to their first ever World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Germany, courtesy of a header from the hard defender, Carles Puyol. Spain played their "tiqui-taca", one touch, possession-based football and totally dominated the midfield. They patiently awaited the perfect scoring opportunity and late in the second half capitalized on a set piece nicely served by Xavi. Spain pressured Germany and relentlessly attacked throughout the game, finding and utilizing whatever space available and carved their way through the Germany midfield and defense.

Uruguay Feel the Crush in Cape Town!

GFT Editor — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:36:08 +0000

Holland 3 Uruguay 2

Say what you want about them being a disappointment, the Dutch got it done! Six wins out of six games. 12 goals all told and the utter panache of little Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and the unstoppably clever thuggery of Marco Von Bommel. This may not be ‘Total Football,’ but der Oranje Crush are one hell of a football team. There can be be absolutely no doubt that Holland deserve to be in Sunday's World Cup final.