"I believe the common denominator of the Universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility and murder." -- Werner Herzog
News broke Monday that German captain Michael Ballack would miss the 2010 World Cup due to Kevin-Prince Boateng's tackle in the FA Cup final this weekend. Oh the irony of a Berlin-born player switching allegiances to Ghana and then knocking out Germany's captain for the World Cup.
Only in soccer, folks.
Less than 30 days away, the health of players is quickly becoming the one topic, the only topic heading into the finals, which kick of June 11.
Look at this list of guys who are out or questionable: Ballack, Michael Essien, Fernando Torres, Gareth Barry, Andres Ineista, Oguchi Onyewu, Charlie Davies, Wayne Rooney, John Terry (for a few hours), William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas, David Beckham, Rene Adler, etc.
The games haven't already kicked off and its already become a war of attrition.
That sound you just heard, it's Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk shopping at the discount wrap for a bulk purchase of bubble wrap to encase Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie in before the Netherland's first match.*
* For sci-fi nerds, Fabio Capello has secretly been building a "Bacta Tank" to store Rooney in for the next month.
Now the injury to Ballack certainly causes considerable Schadenfreude** among Germany and its 80-million strong supporters. Though generally unlikeable, Ballack was the rug that tied the German room together, man.
In his stead the German midfield looks quite patchwork and is already without Simon Rolfes and the snubbed veteran Torsten Frings. Only Bastian Schweinsteiger and Piotr Trochowski have double-digit caps in the midfield, putting an even larger onus on Werder Bremen's rising star Mesut Özil.
This ain't your father's Germany, for sure.
** Note, it's always, ALWAYS fun to write and say Schadenfreude.
The current woes of the Germans, who without fail march into the knockout rounds of every major tournament isn't exactly my concern.
Actually, it's the opposite. Ballack is still on the public enemy list*** since his 39th minute goal ended up knocking out the U.S. in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals played in Ulsan, South Korea. (Still seems like it was a handball by Frings in that match, no?)
*** No. 1 remains Nigel de Jong
And since he plays for Chelsea, Ballack is probably one of the more unlikeable guys in world soccer.
Maybe it's not his fault. He always seems angry and he's German. Not a good combination.
Even still, this decade few players have been such a force on the International level as Herr Ballack, even if he's always been left a bridesmaid: runner up 2002 World Cup; third place 2006 World Cup; runner up Euro 2008. (Ballack also played in perhaps the biggest stomach punch game in the Champions League, as Bayer Leverkausen lost on Zinedine Zidane's all-time greatest game winner.)
So like him or not, Ballack is indeed a probable legend of the game, albeit an unlikeable Teutonic version.
Why it's important, though, to the USMNT is that Group C crosses over with Group D.
That means the U.S. could see Germany in the Round of 16 depending how both groups shake out. Germany is probably still the favorite to top Group D with Ghana (ironic), Australia and Serbia. The Germans have it in their DNA to get out of the group stage at the World Cup.
Yet, who would you rather see the U.S. crossing paths with should they get out of the group? A weakened, Ballack-less Germany or an imposing, grim, unshaven bunch of 6-foot rugged beast-men from Serbia?
And before you answer, don't forget our old pal Neven Subotić lines up in the downright ferocious Serbian defense.
At the World Cup, just like in the old hip hop vernacular, everything is everything.
News broke Monday that German captain Michael Ballack would miss the 2010 World Cup due to Kevin-Prince Boateng's tackle in the FA Cup final this weekend. Oh the irony of a Berlin-born player switching allegiances to Ghana and then knocking out Germany's captain for the World Cup.
Only in soccer, folks.
Less than 30 days away, the health of players is quickly becoming the one topic, the only topic heading into the finals, which kick of June 11.
Look at this list of guys who are out or questionable: Ballack, Michael Essien, Fernando Torres, Gareth Barry, Andres Ineista, Oguchi Onyewu, Charlie Davies, Wayne Rooney, John Terry (for a few hours), William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas, David Beckham, Rene Adler, etc.
The games haven't already kicked off and its already become a war of attrition.
That sound you just heard, it's Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk shopping at the discount wrap for a bulk purchase of bubble wrap to encase Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie in before the Netherland's first match.*
* For sci-fi nerds, Fabio Capello has secretly been building a "Bacta Tank" to store Rooney in for the next month.
Now the injury to Ballack certainly causes considerable Schadenfreude** among Germany and its 80-million strong supporters. Though generally unlikeable, Ballack was the rug that tied the German room together, man.
In his stead the German midfield looks quite patchwork and is already without Simon Rolfes and the snubbed veteran Torsten Frings. Only Bastian Schweinsteiger and Piotr Trochowski have double-digit caps in the midfield, putting an even larger onus on Werder Bremen's rising star Mesut Özil.
This ain't your father's Germany, for sure.
** Note, it's always, ALWAYS fun to write and say Schadenfreude.
The current woes of the Germans, who without fail march into the knockout rounds of every major tournament isn't exactly my concern.
Actually, it's the opposite. Ballack is still on the public enemy list*** since his 39th minute goal ended up knocking out the U.S. in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals played in Ulsan, South Korea. (Still seems like it was a handball by Frings in that match, no?)
*** No. 1 remains Nigel de Jong
And since he plays for Chelsea, Ballack is probably one of the more unlikeable guys in world soccer.
Maybe it's not his fault. He always seems angry and he's German. Not a good combination.
Even still, this decade few players have been such a force on the International level as Herr Ballack, even if he's always been left a bridesmaid: runner up 2002 World Cup; third place 2006 World Cup; runner up Euro 2008. (Ballack also played in perhaps the biggest stomach punch game in the Champions League, as Bayer Leverkausen lost on Zinedine Zidane's all-time greatest game winner.)
So like him or not, Ballack is indeed a probable legend of the game, albeit an unlikeable Teutonic version.
Why it's important, though, to the USMNT is that Group C crosses over with Group D.
That means the U.S. could see Germany in the Round of 16 depending how both groups shake out. Germany is probably still the favorite to top Group D with Ghana (ironic), Australia and Serbia. The Germans have it in their DNA to get out of the group stage at the World Cup.
Yet, who would you rather see the U.S. crossing paths with should they get out of the group? A weakened, Ballack-less Germany or an imposing, grim, unshaven bunch of 6-foot rugged beast-men from Serbia?
And before you answer, don't forget our old pal Neven Subotić lines up in the downright ferocious Serbian defense.
At the World Cup, just like in the old hip hop vernacular, everything is everything.
Labels: germany, Soccer, USMNT, werner herzog, world cup 2010
Maybe the Germans would like Jermaine Jones back?
I still think that Germany is going to win Group D, despite the injury. The Ghana-Germany thing is crazy with The Two Boatengs (a new sitcom on NBC for the fall, BTW) and one of said Tengs being the Ballack breaker.
What do you think of Gooch's willingness to play in Milan next year for free? Is that real or a PR move? I understand a player who has been making major bank for years doing that, but Gooch hasn't really had a huge payday yet, has he? Gutsy, and let's hope it gets him in the starting side next season.
Definitely think there is more going on with Onyewu's thing with AC Milan than is being reported.
Don't forget, they didn't pay a transfer fee for him, so they had no incentive to keep him around if he's not up to snuff.
According to this article, Gooch is NOT playing next year for free, but rather the 12/13 season is the free one. That is the year added to the end of his current deal with this contract extension he just made with the team.
Are you thinking that this 'free year' was a sweetener Gooch and his agent threw in to keep Milan from cutting him loose over the summer?
If he had two more seasons on the deal (10/11 and 11/12) could they cut him without paying the remaining $$ for those years? I thought soccer contracts (non-MLS) were typically guaranteed.
Germany are not weakened by Ballack's injury.
Ballack has been poor the last year and players like Schweinsteger, Khedira, Westermann, Kroos, Marin and Özil can do a better job in the central midfield.
The Gooch freebie comes off as a bit desperate but smart on his part. Better to play for free at Milan than for $50,000 in San Jose or something. If he has a good WC and gets some playing time next season it will seem like a great idea.
Ballack's absence means little for Germany, and it is foolish to call them weakened. They are surprisingly underrated (maybe people aren't watching the Bundesliga?) There are a lot of not-well-known—i.e. not rumored to be going to Manchester City/United—good young players. Özil was mentioned, look at Marin, Kießling, Kroos. Schweinsteiger has had a great year, and the fast attacky mids that Germany has should let Bastian play his deeper role. Lahm is outstanding as normal. Their goalkeeping might be the best in the world. They will shred their group, and will stomp on whoever they get next, seems like a good chance it's USA.