A Brilliant Copa Final

I got back in town yesterday afternoon from a loooong soccer tournament in the lovely state of Oregon. BTW, our southern neighbor reminds me of Richard Nixon's infamous quote about democracy. It'd be a lovely state if it weren't for all the Oregonians. Man, what's up with that place? I've yet to see a more motley collection of uptight, angry, and just plain ill-tempered people.

Enuf of that. Spent some time with the DVR to watch the Copa final with Brazil and Argentina. While I'd expected more of a match, I was happy to see the gold and green boys whomp Argentina 3-0, particularly without their big name stars. (Though, it was a bummer not to see Gunner Gilberto - one of my favorites).

The last goal was a sublime piece of football. It started with an in the box clearance, which was placed where it posed the least danger. Robinho then left-foot cleared the ball upfield right to Vagner Love, who executed a high-speed show-and-tell with 2 defenders before threading a beautiful pass between the Argentinians which was met by an onrushing Danny Alves who finished with a laser precise strike just inside the far post. The whole thing took mere seconds and was as murderously final as it was beautiful to watch. The Argentine players at that point were just plain outclassed and they knew it.

Think I'm kidding:

"We're totally ruined," Esteban Cambiasso said. "Losing like this penetrates your soul."

Said Brazil Coach Dunga

"We came to rescue the self-esteem of the Brazilian worker, who wakes
up in the morning and returns home late at night, whose only
satisfaction in life is seeing Brazil win a football match."

The players then pledged to donate half of their professional salaries for the coming year to Poverty relief and workers' rights.

...Just kidding about the last one

Arsenal signed a couple of players now, including a 24-year-old French defender of which I know nothing. Apparently, he's considered a back-up for when Eboue and Toure disappear for the African National Cup. Good, as far as that goes, but I have to think not addressing our primary need at this point.