We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
It's been twelve long years since the Brandi Chastain moment when the US Women's side took home the World Cup back in 1999. Today, they've got the chance to do it again. Join me from 2pm EST onward for all the action.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:41 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
375 Comments:
The team news is in from Germany:
US: Solo, Buehler, Rampone, LePeilbet, Krieger, Boxx, Lloyd, Rapinoe, O'Reilly, Cheney, Wambach.
Japan: Kaihori, Kumagai, Iwashimizu, Sameshima, Kinga, Sakaguchi, Sawa, Miyami, Ohno, Ando, Kawasumi.
Great coverage of the WWC Final on ESPN now.
Apparently the German crowd is mostly on Japan's side in the stadium.
Brazil v. Paraguay - the Copa America quarter final match starts at the top of the hour. I'll be dialing up a link on-line while I watch the ESPN coverage of the final on the telly.
Good afternoon BD. I arrived home just in time to make for the World Cup Final.
Teams in the tunnel now.
I am partially surprised that the German fans are rooting for Japan as they were eliminated by the Japanese in the quarters, but there is sympathy due to the tsunami earlier this year. I do sympathize myself.
Afternoon, MUR. We may be the only LOBers on this afternoon. UWS is hosting a graduation party with a load of teenagers in his front room and my brother has inexplicably gone walkabout his missus in Old Town Alexandria this afternoon. Hopefully WHR will drop by for a natter.
Yeah - I think it is the tsunami factor.
The US definitely the favorites this afternoon - Japan have never beaten us.
We went out for breakfast. My wife wanted to go shopping in one of the local stores before shopping for groceries. I told her that I would not make it in time for the World Cup Final and that we could run that errand later this afternoon.
The Japanese national anthem is playing.
My brother told me that we have defeated Japan three times this year, so we should be favorites.
The U.S. national anthem is playing.
I've got this link going for the upcoming Brazil v. Paraguay:
http://www.yycast.com/embed.php?fileid=_GfDeopgpz5wi6u&vw=640&vh=360
Right now, they're showing the end of the Real Madrid destruction of the Galaxy last night 4-1.
Good job getting the priorities right, mate.
The officiating crew is from Germany with one Swedish assistant.
Hope Solo's goalkeeping kit is a bit odd - it's almost as if she's wearing a jacket.
Thanks, BD. It is too hot for a walkabout until 7 in the evening.
Japan get us underway - come on!
The match kicks off.
Quick start there by Lauren Cheney and the US. Went for the shot rather than squaring to Wambach.
Cheyney nearly scored in the first minute , but the keeper blocked it for a corner. It was a difficult angle.
You can tell that set pieces are going to be a struggle for the diminutive Japanese side.
The Japanese just about cleared that corner.
The US have to avoid giving the ball away cheaply. The Japanese will run all day long. It's their athleticism that is their key to winning.
I agree. They can easily defeat this team if they would just be patient.
They have to go with more simple balls.
Japan has conceded possession cheaply too.
Yes - it's pretty scrappy at the moment.
It must be cup final nerves as there is a great deal at stake.
OH - I thought that was in. Boxx crossed to Cheney at the near post. Just wide.
Wambach tries a pop from distance - just over the bar.
Just wide by Lauren Cheyney off of a superb cross. Her marker did a good job of not giving a lot of space. Now Abbey Wambach shoots just over from long range.
The short Japanese keeper will have trouble with crosses and being chipped from long range.
Oh - Lloyd had an opportunity to volley from inside the box. Always rising.
For some reason, the Japanese right back is having a difficult start to the match.
Oh - another big chance. Rapinoe! The US should be one or two up already.
Just over by Lloyd,then just wide by Rapinoe who has been a constant threat to the Japanese defense.
The Copa match is about to start - here are the line-ups:
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Andre Santos, Thiago Silva, Lucio, Lucas, Paulo Henrique, Ramires, Robinho, Pato, Neymar.
Paraguay: Villar, Veron, Torres, Da Silva, Alcaraz, Riveros, Cacares, Vera, Estigarribia, Barrios, Valdez.
These two teams met only a week and a half ago ending in a 2-2 draw, with Paraguay the better side. Will Brazil bounce back?
Angela Merkel in the crowd - it's her birthday.
Oh - Rapinoe wastes another chance trying a low percentage shot from an acute angle.
Rapinoe plays a one-two with Wambach then shoots from a narrow angle.
Very patient start to the Copa match. We've seen two matches go to extra time already in the quarters.
Is there another link to the Brazil vs Paraguay match? I was forbidden access.
Man City will be on ESPN2 tomorrow evening at 10 PM.
Roque Santa Cruz is injured for Paraguay which might blunt their attack somewhat.
I saw that - I'm definitely up for watching that one.
Still 0-0 with twenty minutes played when the U.S. should be 2-0 up.
This one looks pretty good, mate:
http://onlinesoccer2012.blogspot.com/
I will try it . Thanks,BD.
Oh - Neymar has a chance with a volley in the box but leans back and it rises over the bar.
More chaos in the Japanese box from the corner. They survived it again.
That link worked. Thanks,BD
Glad it worked for you - enjoy!
A rare corner for Japan now.
Krieger concedes a corner for the Japanese.Another corner for the Japanese.The second corner was cleared.
Paraguay , historically have been involved in 1-0 scores whether it be victories or defeats.
Oh - what a strike from Wambach!!
Off the bar and out again. That deserved a goal.
Nearly 1-0 to the U.S. as Abby Wombach saw her shot come off the bar.
I agree,BD. Japan cannot have any complaints if they lose. The U.S. has been the dominant team.
Ando had a chance there, but her shot was tame in the end.
That was a chance for Japan as #7 was through on the counter, but shot straight to Hope Solo with a tame effort
Half an hour in - this match needs a goal.
Oh - free header for Cheney. She didn't keep it down! How many chances are they going to need?
The free kick from Rapinoe was cleared and Lauren Cheyney saw her shot hit the top of the net.
It seems like a slow start to the Copa Match. Is Ally McCoist commentating?
Nice - United v. Chicago next Saturday afternoon. The footie just keeps rolling on.
I think it is Ally on the color commentary.
The Japanese have a corner off a Buehler tackle.
You can really see the difference between the men's and women's game watching simultaneously. I can't remember a single good chance in the first quarter of the match in La Plata whereas the US have had six or eight clear cut chances.
Kawasumi blazes well over off the short corner.
I agree. The women's match is more entertaining.
Cheyney was through, but was called for a push.
Brazil have dominated possession but Paraguay are slowly starting to creep into the match. Danger signs for Menezes' team.
Oh - best chance of the half for Neymar there but he put it wide somehow. Are you watching, Chelski?
Brazil have had several consecutive corners and done absolutely nothing.
Did Chelski ever name a new manager.
Yes - it's Andre Villas-Boas, a 33 year old former Porto manager who is likely to draw comparisons with "The Special One."
It is 0-0 at halftime despite total domination by the U.S. and a really poor showing by Japan.
Half-time in the final - 0-0. Not a good scoreline for American audiences.
Oh - another big chance for Brazil. Free kick in and a point blank save by the Paraguayan keeper who picked up a knock from the follow-through.
I knew he was the main candidate, but his lack of experience will be a liability,IMHO. Will the players really want to listen to him. The same thing happened after Sir Matt retired and we named Wilf McGuiness as manager. He was 31 and inexperienced.Best and Law thought he was a joke. He lasted eighteen months, then was sacked.
What a pathetic free kick from Andres Santos. I remember when every Brazilian outfield player was superb at set pieces. Now none of them can take a decent free kick. What happened?
Those are good questions. I don't rate Chelski for next season as they are likely to try to maintain the faith with Torres up front. They're also an aging squad of superstars. A lot of them are around AVB's age!
The emphasis in the Brazilian seems to be off individual skill and more on the tactical side these days. Shame.
I agree. They are not really Brazilian. They have lost their identity.
So - apparently Lauren Cheney is out of the match, with an icepack around her leg now. Alex Morgan to come on. She was quite dynamic in the match against France.
Lauren Cheyney is done for the day as she has an ice pack around her foot. What a shame.
The second half is underway.
The US get us underway in the second half as the first half ends in La Plata. No goals there either. I'm goal starved this afternoon. Tired of penalties too.
It's the superstar panel of Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardiles and Gus Poyet again for ITV.
IS the first half over? My stream shows only 28 minutes played.
No - it's big Frank Stapleton in for Gus Poyet today.
OOH! nearly 1-0 as Alex Morgan's effort was cleared off the line.
Yes - try this one:
http://www.superstarsoccerdeluxe.blogspot.com/
The Japanese keeper has had a poor match. Her defense has bailed her out on numerous occasions.
Oh -Lloyd was a touch greedy there with Rapinoe in the box.
The shot hit the side netting from a really narrow angle.
Thanks BD. The prevuious link was twenty minutes behind for some reason.
Great run by Wambach but her shot was rushed.
Sorry about that.
So not a single goal between the two matches. UWS must be thinking that he has not missed anything.
They're reporting on an improved bid from Corinthians for Tevez now. After last night's debacle, it's a wonder who would want that headcase!
I reckon that UWS is watching the final but he's up to his elbows in teenagers, wings and pizza.
They're showing the Real demolition of the Galaxy including a superb strike from Ronaldo for the third goal.
My brother , who is a City fan, cannot understand why he would want to leave. No wonder why SAF unloaded him.He missed the penalty in the shootout last night.
A half hour left of this one. Do we have extra and pens as in other tournaments?
I would pretend to be teenager if I could get free wings and pizza.
I think Citeh would be best shod of him at this point. With £50 million, they can buy Sergio Aguero and have change to spare.
I watched the match. The Galaxy were schooled and Real showed a great deal of mercy. They could have been in double figures if they really wanted too. Ronaldo really taught the Galaxy a thing or two last night.
I would recommend the same approach for Arsene Wenger. Shop Cesc and buy Wesley Sneijder and be done with it.
I agree.I guess playing in the CL with a team on the up is a turnoff for Carlito.
I hope so - I worry about the MLS expanding with an eye toward quantity rather than quality football.
The second half is underway from LA Plata.
The second half has kicked off in La Plata. There's a long way to go in both of these matches, I suspect.
Abby Wombach wins a corner for the U.S.
The U.S. win another corner.
Boxx earns a corner. They must capitalize on these set pieces. Switch it up a bit - don't just lump it to Wambach every time.
Well - that's not the kind of variation needed.
Big let off for the US - Ohno called offside when she was level.
I disagree with the short corner from Rapinoe. The Japanese have been with aerial challenges. Why vary?
Oh - great save by Kaihori from Wambach's header.
The Japanese keeper did well to tip over a Wambach header from a Lloyd cross.
Mad scramble in the Paraguay box - that could have gone anywhere!
The U.S. continues to attack off the corner.
Ohno coming off for Maruyama. Ando coming off for Nagasato. Both strikers off then.
Maryuma is on for Ohno and Nagasata is on for Ando.
The Japanese strikers worked hard without much attacking threat today.
YESSS!!!! Morgan puts the US 1-0 up!
Route 1 from Rapinoe to Morgan who beat the defender for pace and finished in the bottom right corner.
GOAL !!! 1-0 U.S AS THEY SCORED OFF A ARE COUNTER. iT WAS A LONG CLEARANCE THAT CAUGHT THE jAPANESE BY SURPRISE AND aLEX MORGAN SCORED WITH A SUPERB FINISH.
GREAT GOAL!!!
I have been following both matches and your comments. I have a room full of kids that just exploded!
Pizza, wings and subs flying everywhere I suspect - welcome, UWS!
A deserved lead. The Japanese can have no complaints.They are known as a possession team , but have have had practically no possession today.It has been practically a training session.
Hello UWS. Please save me some pizza and wings.
Oh - Neymar from distance shoots just wide of goal.
WE HAVE SO MUCH... COME GET SOME!
I think I will!!!!
The ref has lost patience with Andre Santos - he's into the book. Free kick Paraguay.
Paraguay had a free kick just outside the box that was easily cleared. The Japanese keeper finally caught a cross.
Sold out crowd here in Frankfurt for the match - 48K+.
Half an hour left in La Plata. Haedo Valdez is trying to pump up the Paraguayan crowd.
Rapinoe was just offside as she attempted to put in a cross.
I don't see the Japanese scoring. They took off their two strikers and are having to chase the match.
Just over ten minutes left of the final and a US trophy.
The long range effort was easily handled by Hope Solo.
Barreto coming on for Paraguay. They sense blood - they want this one more than Brazil.
Oh dear - a complete balls-up in the defense there and Japan have scored!
1-1 Game on!
BLOODY HELL!! SHAMBOLIC DEFENDING BY THE U.S.HAS GIFTED THE JAPANESE A GOAL.
Not sure what Buehler and Krieger were trying to do there but they teed Miyama up perfectly.
US rocking now!
Japan really giving it a go now.
They just had to hoof it clear! that is what you do when you are defending a 1-0 lead in any match with minutes remaining! Just common sense!
I agree. They should each be credited with an assist. That is the best pass a Japanese forward has received this entire match.
Oh - Fred's strike produces a great save out of the keeper.
The U.S. have a corner.The U.S. maintain possession off the Rapinoe corner.
More long ball stuff from the US - are they Wimbledon in disguise?
Oh - dangerous cross there across the US penalty area.
I guess we are looking at extra time in both matches.
Down to twenty minutes in La Plata before extra time and perhaps pens again.
It looks like it, mate.
I missed the equalizer. I was taking dinner to Kathy's dad
I have to say that Julie Foudy has been the model of professionalism as color commentator this afternoon. None of that Ian Wright leaping off the couch from her.
It was a comedy of errors, UWS.
I don't think you want to see it. We gifted the Japanese that goal. Laid it on a plate for them.
Who did it?
The Japanese are actually playing better football at the moment.
Wide from the Japanese # 6 as they look for a late winner.
For the sport in this country, we better win this!
Terrible missed clearances by both Buehler and Krieger.
I agree - I predict that super Gator Abby Wambach will come good again in extra time.
2 added minutes
I think it was Buehler and Krieger. They forgot how to kick the ball in touch and fell all over themselves.
Nice run from O'Reilly but her left-footed effort was always rising.
Atrocious attempt... Johnny Wilkinson would have been happy with that one
I hope so as we are a Gator household.
The Paraguayan keeper continues to pull off heroics, this time stopping a point blank effort from Pato.
Extra time it is!
So - extra time to come. At least it wasn't 0-0. The telly audience needed some goals.
That's it . Extra time as it is 1-1 between the U.S. and Japan.
Switching my attention back to La Plata for a moment. Fifteen minutes left.
Nice move between Ganso and Neymar there. But the keeper comes up trumps again. Are you watching this bloke, Arsene?
Great scenes from Times Square on ESPN now.
I have been catching glimpses of the Copa match,but have seen little action.
Again... we better win.
Kathy complained to me that I said that I would want the US Women to beat the English Women but it is Vice Versa for the men
You guys?
Ten minutes plus stoppage time left in regulation in the match from La Plata.
Extra gets underway
Extra time has started from Frankfurt.
I was thinking the same thing, mate. The US would have met England in the semis if the English women hadn't succumbed to the penalty curse against France in the quarters. I would have been US all the way in that one. I think the difference is that I watch the English men play in the Premiership all year long and grew up supporting the English men's team.
Totally agree
I guess I would go for the U.S. even though I have a soft spot for England. That is a tough decision.
Here's another question - would the US be your second team? Brazil have always been my second favorites when the English inevitably get knocked out. I'm not so sure now.
Not tough for me at all in the men's game
Engurlund all the way
Oh - off the line by the plucky Paraguayans!
Off the line by Para.
But US second - or another side. Maybe Italy?
I think Fred had a header from a corner cleared off the line from Barreto.
Ian Darke mentioning the dreaded "P" word there.
I would say the US is next
I would also say the Dutch but not after the last Cup Final. I want the most attractive team to win
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