World Cup withdrawal, best XI of the WC, baseball and some underage French hooker

World Cup withdrawal is setting in.

Congratulations to Spain for a well earned victory. The Dutch played a physical game, both teams set a record for most yellow cards in a World Cup final, but in the end, the most talented team in the tournament won. It was not pretty, they certainly did not play with an open attacking style but they were clinical in their passing game and did enough to win.

Euro 2012 should be incredibly entertaining with an up and coming Germany, an in form Dutch team (Elia was a revelation and should see a lot more playing time then)and a Spanish team that should still have this core group in their prime.

My top 11 from the World Cup

Goalkeeper: Richard Kinston

Defenders:

Carles Puyol (Spain) Maicon (Brazil) Vidic (Serbia) John Mensah (Ghana)

Midfielders

Shweinsteiger (Germany) Xavi (Spain) Robben (Netherlands) Ozil (Germany) Sneijder (Netherlands) Honda (Japan)

Forwards

Forlan (Uruguay) Mueller (Germany) Villa (Spain) Gyan (Ghana)

Coach: Joachim Loew, Germany

More bad news from the world of French footballers: French international Franck Ribery facing charges of sex with an underage prostitute, charges that could send him to jail for three years.
This is the woman in question (R,) as identified by several media outlets:

Tottenham, Birmingham City and Arsenal have banned vuvuzelas at their home stadiums. Not sure how I feel about this one yet. I will miss that incessant white noise though.

The US women’s relay team got to keep their medals that were stripped after Marion Jones confessed to doping during the 2000 Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against them on a technicality. One thing overlooked however is that 2 of the teammates that received medals back also subsequently tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. That’s 3 members of a 4 person relay team and the second US relay team that had three members banned for doping.

This was a poor decision, but the rules in place at the time allowed it and so it will have to stand.


MLB rookie of the year-so far:
American League;

Brennan Boesch of the Tigers is the leader in a not-so distinguished field.

In the NL it looks like a four way race among Jamie Garcia, Ike Davis, Stephen Strasburg and Jason Heyward. Only Heyward started the season in the majors, but the others have contributed significantly to their respective clubs and figure to be major contributors the rest of the way if they challenge for a playoff spot.

My choice would be Heyward, but Strasburg is a monster of a pitcher.

And now some weird stuff that makes you wonder what excatly is in that can of Fosters beer.....

A drunken Aussie who tried to ride on the back of an 18ft crocodile while drunk was recovering in hospital  as of July 14th 2010.

Michael Williams, 36, climbed on the back of an 18ft crocodile called Fatso while drunk in an enclosure at the Broome Crocodile Park in Western Australia. To explain what that means; Williams climbed in the enclosure and onto the crocodiles back. Williams was drunk, the crocodile was not. The crocodile was however hungry, and Williams is now recovering in a Australian hospital. He has a chunk of his leg missing. Williams, that is.

Michael had been kicked out of a pub and told police he broke into the zoo because he wanted to give Fatso a pat.

Broome Police Sergeant Roger Hayne said: "He's extremely lucky to be alive. He has attempted to sit on its back and the croc has taken offence at that and has spun around and bit him on the right leg. Once saltwater crocodiles get hold of you, they are not renowned for letting you go."

"He's lucky to have escaped with his life."

You really think so Sarge?!?!

Listening to Distant Relatives the album from Nas & Damian Marley. Pretty good album, some good production and guests.....really like "Land of Promise" with the voice of the late great Dennis Brown. Good stuff.