Serie A scandal

Italian football is the news again -- perhaps a distraction to the Azzuri in World Cup 06. Four teams as well as other calcio personages are being investigated for corruption (point-shaving, etc). Juve and my beloved Rossoneri are included. A quilty verdict could mean relegation to Serie B, bans for players, forefeit of winnings or points. It seems there are strong evidences against Juve and the extent of the scandal could cause them their two consecutive titles in Serie A. ACMilan isn't in the clear yet either.

Oh yes, Germany play Argentina in the first QF in WC 06.

Roman Holiday

Today is the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, a holiday in Rome!
Sixteen years ago today, I was there.
In Europe, they celebrate a person's Saint's Day (onomastico)
more than his birth anniversary --
that was a special day for me. Auguri!

Picture below was taken on October 7, 2002 (however).


My last Roman holiday pictures here.

Gerd Muller

This is sort of about Gerd Muller, German, Der Bomber, former Bayern Munich. But only in the light of Ronaldo's breaking his record of 14 goals in WC play. Ronaldo scored his 15th WC goal in their round of 16 match against Spain (3-1).


Still, Gerd made his 14 in only 2 World Cup editions. That makes him better, huh?

However, some say it is Just Fontaine, French, Jersey# 13, Monsieur Dynamite, who is the greatest -- 13 goals in 1 WC edition -- Sweden, 1958. Herr Muller agrees:

You set your record with 14 goals scored over two FIFA World Cup tournaments.
I’ve always said that I wasn't the record-holder. That honour, for me, goes to Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in one tournament. He's the best in my book. Although Ronaldo is now in his third World Cup, this is nevertheless still a great achievement on his part. Playing at such a high level over such a long period of time, always managing to be fit at the right moment is unusual nowadays. In my opinion, he’s the best, most complete attacker there is at the moment.

Les Bleus sneeked into the quarters in WC06. Zizou's go up against Ronaldo's in the quarters.

Why Kahn isn't playing

We need more explanation!
Germany play Argentina for a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Berlin on Friday.



Kahn attacks Klinsmann over keeper debate
25 June 2006
by Reuters

Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn has said Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann still owed him an explanation for replacing him as first-choice goalkeeper for the FIFA World Cup™, though he did not expect to get one.

Kahn told German magazine Der Spiegel he would never accept Klinsmann's decision to replace him with Arsenal's Jens Lehmann as the country's number one keeper, and said sitting on the bench during the FIFA World Cup was "not pleasant".

"Normally, I'd have expected a thorough explanation (from Klinsmann)," he was quoted as saying on Sunday. "But as there hasn't been one up until now, there probably won't be one."

Television coverage of Germany's 2-0 second round victory over Sweden on Saturday was punctuated with shots of a grim-faced Kahn watching the match from the bench as elated German fans celebrated in the stands.

"Until recently, I was firmly convinced I would be playing (in the FIFA World Cup)," he said. "Every walk to the bench has been tough. I watch the game, try to form an impression of the action and then disappear into the changing room as fast as possible."

Kahn said the only reason he had heard for why he was dropped was that Lehmann was supposedly playing a 'tick' better.

"I'm sorry, but do you the replace the one who's been the number one for years when he's playing consistently because another keeper is supposed to be a 'tick' better? That's no justification for me," he said.

"I've been playing right at the top level for the past two years, I've done well in my Champions league games, won the German league and German Cup twice, and have immense tournament experience," Kahn told the magazine.

"There was actually no reason to change the number one."

Germany play Argentina for a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Berlin on Friday.

Goleo VI: Germany's in the quarters

Germany advanced to World Cup 06 by winning over Sweden 2-0 in their Round of 16 match last Friday. On two Lukas Podolski goals (a friend asked: What did they do with Podolski?). I missed that game. I will be in Cagayan de Oro this Friday for Germany's match against the winner of the Argentina-Mexico Round of 16 match. Either team is a tough opponent.

citefiretree3569

citefiretree3569
Originally uploaded by asmillan3.

Perhaps inspiring -- adrenaline rush

Pippo

Here's Rossonero Pippo Inzaghi, on World Cup 06:


Elsewhere in Group E, Filippo Inzaghi showed he could well be Italy’s trump card in the knockout rounds with a typical Pippo finish against the Czech Republic. The goalscorer, who now has 22 international goals to his name, made the most of the Czech’s increasingly desperate attacks by coolly rounding Petr Cech and slotting home for his first goal of the tournament.

Electric floor

Five inmates in the Cebu City jail were electrocuted in their sleep when a live wire touched the bars of one of the holding cells. Here's the story: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/06/21/news/live.wire.kills.5.html. I thought we just banned capital punishment?

On another note, the Cebu Provincial Government is getting back the land the was donated to the former NMYC for its training center. Apparently there was no provision for the continuance of the donation when the NMYC was abolished to give way to a new agency, TESDA. Also apparently, the Office of the President had not given its approval to the donation (more like its approval was not sought) and the then Director of NMYC had not been given the authority to receive the donation. TESDA is given 6 months to move out.

This means that TESDA 7's cooperative management schemes of training centers will have to be rescinded. What happens now to these training centers? Obviously, the organizations spent millions to put up the training centers, and with this development, perhaps these are lost investments by now. I may be biased here, since my organization has put up a training center in the compound, which has trained over a thousand out-of-school youth since end of year 2000. We can always move out. No problem. The only thing that I do not understand is why remedies were not sought? Why was there no appeal from TESDA? Was it all for the sake of revenues for the Provincial Government?

Here's a link to Sunstar Cebu story about it: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/06/18/news/capitol.discovers.prime.lot.compels.tesda.to.move.out.html
You be the judge.

Goleo VI

Germany won all its Group A matches, winning 3-0 against Ecuador last night. They next play Sweden, who finished second behind England in Group B. Klose put in homers in the 4'' and 44''.

Sheva

I must have missed this bit of news: Sheva is going to Chelsea. I am sure he will be replaced by someone better. Silvio is coming back to Milan -- he'll know what to do.

Here's Sheva in WC06 action for Ukraine.

Goleo VI

My fave Germany won it's first group game against Costa Rica, 4-2. They go up against Poland today.


I am happy that one of my favorite players Kaka', not because he is Brazilian, but because he is a Rossonero (ACMilan), scored over Croatia in their first group match. Incidentally, Dida who keeps for Brazil, and Cafu, the Brazilian captain and the player in this edition with the most WC appearances, are from Brazil. Germany does not have any players in ACMilan -- how weird am I?
If Brazil wins this WC edition, Cafu (if he plays in all games) will surpass Lothar Matthaus and Wolfgang Overath (of course, both of Germany) as the player with the most number of WC winning games played. As of this writing, Cafu has now 14, tied with Paolo Maldini (Rossonero!) and Franz Beckenbauer (Germany!). Pele and Maradona had 12 (although some would say Diego has only 11 -- remember the "Hand of God"?).

Goleo VI

World Cup 2006 starts in a few hours. My favorite Germany plays Costa Rica in Game 1 in Munich (1700 BST). They might not play with team captain Michael Ballack, because he had a calf injury from a friendly with Colombia June 2. Will be tough without him.

I'm back again

Hey there folks,
I am back from a three-week seminar in Batangas ....
Here are some pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59827776@N00/