Let's review the weekend - 21 January to 23 January 2011

The Weekend that was...

In interest of establishing a routine and since Monday is the rest day for most sporting fans, I've decided to begin a column that will be posted every Monday wherein I review the past weekend of sport.  I will note the sporting match-ups that caught my eye and note my view on how the sporting fan should interpret the weekend events.  As you get settled into at the workplace on a Monday, I'm sure a few good laughs and reviewing the weekend that was will help you ease into the working work.

Without further ado..

What I watched?

Blackburn v West Brom

Manchester Utd v Birmingham

Wolves v Liverpool

Australian Open

La Liga

ODI series - South Africa v India

AFC & NFC Championship (the semi-final of American Football)

Only Murray can stop a Federer v Nadal final

As much as I hate singing the praises of anything British or Australian (which is why I never watch the Ashes), I must put it on record that a Nadal v Federer final at the Australian Open seems like a virtual certainty unless the Scot, young Andy "Braveheart" Murray performs a semi-modern miracle and somehow causes an upset.  This is not though as impossible as you may think.  Murray has beaten both Nadal and Federer in recent times.  He is a great baseline player and has shown more BMT than any British tennis player in the last two decades ("yes Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, I am referring to you").  With all that said, the average tennis fan will probably be rooting for another Nadal v Federer final.  Who can blame them?  I'd hate to see the pompous British hooting and hollering if Murray were to win the tournament. 

Quick Note #1:  How sad to see Maria Sharapova leave a tournament early again.  The tournament is not the same without you Maria...  Please do not become another Kournikova.

Quick Note #2:  How sad to see Venus Williams in a ridiculous short skirt.  I seriously thought of poking my eyes out.  This is in no way a mock at Venus' looks.  I'm sure many men that I don't know find her to be gorgeous.  But playing tennis in a skirt that barely covers the junk in your trunk while wearing a flesh coloured underwear really got my stomach in twists and turns.  Oh great, I just lost my appetite again.  Thanks Venus.

Barcelona are unstoppable as long as Iniesta is healthy

I have refrained from commenting too much about the recent FIFA World Player of the Year drama.  The drama aside, how is it possible that the three supposedly best players in the world all play for the same club side.  Barcelona are currently on a 14 game winning streak.  If you ask me if Real Madrid have a chance in a million to win La Liga this year, I'd slap you in the face and then say NO!!!  Madrid have actually done very well to only be about 4-7points behind the juggernaut Barca.

To all the Messi is the greatest fans... Wake up please!!!  Messi didn't play all the 14 games during Barca's latest incredible streak.  The Most Valuable Player in the Catalan locker room is Iniesta.  If Iniesta doesn't score the goals at the World Cup, Spain would not be the World Champions.  Last year with Iniesta injured and Messi playing, a ten man Inter Milan team eliminate Barcelona.  Two years ago, Iniesta scores a stoppage time goal in the semi-final against Chelsea...  So with Messi Barca couldn't win the Champions League last year and Argentina couldn't win the World Cup.  With a healthy Iniesta, Spain won the World Cup and Barca won the Champions League.  It's a no contest match-up.  Messi is a fantastic and brilliant player, he just is not as important to his club or country as Iniesta.  FIFA gave Messi the World Player of the Year to Messi.  FIFA also gave the 2022 World Cup to Qatar...

Manchester United will win the Premier League and Liverpool won't get relegated

Every year I say it, and every year it comes true.  No!!  I never say that Manchester United will win the league every year, but I do say that the premier league side with the best wing players and defence always win the League.  Nani, Giggs and Park have been definitely been the best wing combinations in the EPl this year.  Yes, Bale has been great, but he has not had a decent right-wing to compliment his play with Lennon being average and often off colour in big games.  Vidic has been a rock.  A really big rock.  If you picked a world team right now, would you rather pick Vidic and his cloned twin to play centre back or anyone of Pique, Puyol, Carvalho, Terry, Ferdinand, etc.?  Yip, I thought so, I'd go with Vidic and a cloned twin too.

Liverpool surprisingly played good football against Wolves.  Playing good football against Wolves may be expected, but this Liverpool side has lost two games against Blackpool this season and already lost Wolves before... so baby steps people.  What would have been more surprising to Liverpool fans was that the absence of Gerrard enabled other midfielders to play in attacking positions and express themselves to the benefit of the club.  I've often said that the now old Gerrard is a liability to Liverpool in an attacking position and his ego will prevent him from playing the defensive holding position that Paul Scholes masterly does at United.  It will be interesting to watch how Liverpool perform when Gerrard comes back.

American Football - Superbowl

The American Football Superbowl will take place on the 6th of February in a 100 000 capacity stadium in Dallas, Texas.  The game will now officially be between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.  If Pittsburgh win, it will be their third Superbowl in 5 years.  The Steelers have the better defence and a two time winning Quarterback who is trying to rub off the stain of being accused of rape before the season.  The Packers last won the Superbowl in the 90's but are a traditional powerhouse in American Football.  The Packers have the hottest Quarterback in the playoffs and a defence that forces turnovers.

The game should be an exciting event, and the halftime show is always worth watching (See Janet Jackson..)

Lesson learnt

The lesson that I learnt from this weekend of sport is that the real great teams plan for the future.  They develop younger players when they are winning with an established side.  They then blood the younger players when they're ready and can make a great team even greater.

I will post a blog about the South African cricket side and their chances in the upcoming world cup during the course of this week. 

Not Beckham - Spurs sign Pienaar

It seems that the recent news of the possibility of David Beckham's loan move to Tottenham Hotspurs may just have been a smoke screen as word begins to trickle in about Spurs' latest transfer coup.  The same team that caught the bargain of the previous transfer season with seconds to spare when they purchased Van der Vaart no seem certain to have again acquired a gifted midfield player for what may end up costing the club nothing.

After the latest comments by Harry Redknapp that South African born Steven Pienaar would be a great free agent acquisition, it seems that Spurs have decided that the offseason is a wait too long for them to wait for the services of the South African midfield maestro.

The news out of the English Premier League is that Spurs have agreed terms with Steven Pienaar that enables the club to acquire his services during the upcoming offseason or alternatively to demand his transfer from Everton for a meagre 2 million pounds.

At that price you would think that Everton would rather retain Pienaar's services until the end of the season or at a minimum attempt to bring him back to the bargaining table for a contract extension.  But the sticky point in negotiations between Everton and Pienaar seems to be the clubs continual bargaining... with the indications being that Everton are only willing to offer Pienaar 60 000 pounds a week while the South African wants the sam wage as Michel Arteta who earns 75 000 pounds a week.

While the financial demands of the football elite may seem dull and tiresome to the ordinary football fan, it is worth noting that Pienaar has regularly turned in star performances for Everton while Arteta's performances on the field have fluctuated between brilliance and ineffectiveness for most of the season.  Pienaar seems to have now made up his mind to join Spurs and finally end his stay at Goodison Park.  Whether it is during this transfer season or the upcoming offseason remains to be seen.

What is for certain is that a midfield featuring Modric, Bale, Pienaar, Jenas and Van der Vaart could propel Spurs to the long sought after league title in the near future.  Which even the most loyal fan could hardly have dreamed of during the gloomy days of the Juan de Ramos era.

Until Death do us part

UNTIL DEATH DO US PART...

There was a time when marriage was a commitment for life. Until death do us part, for richer or poorer and all those classic clichés. In present times with the divorce rate western countries continuing to escalate, it has become apparent to the majority of sporting fans that there remains just one position in all of sports that is now officially harder to lose or get out of than marriage.

Welcome to the South African national Protea test cricket side...

The Proteas side has for ages seemed set in stone. In most cases more former Protea players have left the side by retiring rather than being dropped. Don’t believe that?

Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Dave Richardson, Gary Kirsten, Makhaya Ntini are all examples of South African cricketers who announced their retirement before their final game for the national side. In fact we may never know whether these players would still be playing for the Proteas had they not retired, they clearly were not going to be dropped.

(Side Note: Hanse Cronje was never dropped. He was suspended and subsequently banned. Go ahead, look it up.)

The lack of authority in management and the rise in player power has led to players who are in the Protea line-up playing as if they know that no matter how poor their on-field or off-field performance, there is a better chance of them retiring as national players than there is of their being dropped from the national side. (Have you read Herschelle Gibbs' book or noted that Jacques Kallis played soon after a motor vehicle accident)

Case in point: AB de Villiers has refused to play wicketkeeper for the Proteas. Imagine that, a player saying that he won’t play where the manager or coach may want him to play. De Villiers made this statement with the confident knowledge that he would not be dropped from the national side.

In recent times, the only on-field success that Mark Boucher and Paul Harris have had is that they have played so poorly that it can be said with reasonable certainty that their mere presence in the Protea line-up has single handedly kept South Africa at number 2 in the world in international tests... Just to clarify, that is Number 2 as opposed to Number 1.

The ardent sporting fan may now be thinking that the reason why Protea players are hardly ever dropped from the line-up is that there are no alternative good players to replace the present incumbents. WRONG!!

South Africa have not one, but two wicketkeeper-batsmen who are far better batsmen than Mark Boucher and who could keep wicket just as good as Mark Boucher. Is Boucher really a better option than A.B. De Villiers or Morne Van Wyk?

Though South Africa are not the best spin bowling nation in the cricketing world, there a many bowlers of spin in the country that are both willing and able to bowl and bat better than the present incumbent Paul Harris... Also, Johan Botha, Tavir, Van der Merwe, Peterson can all... wait for it... wait for it... ready... actually spin a cricket ball. Why is Harris still in the team? Give us one good reason? One reason please...

I sense the silence.

After watching the third and final test match between South Africa and India, I changed the channel and caught a re-run of the first and best Mission Impossible movie. As I saw Tom Cruise/Ethan Hunt break into the impenetrable CIA computer room, I begin to if Ethan Hunt could break into the Protea side. If Ethan Hunt had the glove skills of Gilchrist, the batting prowess of Lara and the bowling skills of Warne, he just might be able to break into the impenetrable Protea test side and get an opportunity to prove himself.

Yes, he just might... if someone dropped himself and retired.

Open letter to new 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh

To Jim

I welcome you to the 49ers nation with open arms. As a die-hard San Fransisco 49ers fan I, along with my fellow fans, have endured far too many sad and disappointing football seasons in recent memory. I loved your opening public speech and how you spoke of being excited to meet the great professional men in the 49ers locker room... A word to the wise though - Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Joe Montana and other great professional players are no longer in the 49ers locker room.

I am not a football guru like you Mr. Harbaugh. I could never do what you did at Stanford or what I hope you will be doing with the 49ers in the near future. All I am is 49ers fan from Cape Town, South Africa, who plays NFL Madden at the higher than ALL MADDEN rating of 15 (I play at my own skill level 20) and who religiously follows the NFL and our team the San Fransisco 49ers.

Now, you may ask yourself what advise a South African fan who plays NFL games on his Playstation 3 could possibly give a great coach such as yourself. What I can only offer as my miniscule credential is that I took the 49ers to 3 successive playoffs, 2 successive Super Bowls and one Championship... albeit on the Playstation.

This is how I did it:

1. I kept Alex Smith as my quarterback

I know, I know... Alex Smith is at best an average quarterback. I suffered through his inaccuracy and moments of poor play in crucial situations. Yes, he probably cost me more than a few games. But you know what Jim? I got used to the inaccuracy and moments of dirt bin like passes... I moulded a team around him that could beat not only the opposition, but also overcome the mistakes of Alex Smith. Every game for two seasons I told myself that I would either trade or release A. Smith, but I never did. The result was by playing Smith consistently, something unique and crazy happened.... He got better. My suggestion then Jim, is that you pick a quarterback to be your starter and you stick with him through the good and very bad. You have a 5 year contract. By the 3rd year, that quarterback will naturally improve because you have consistently played him for more than 30 games as a starter.

2. I retooled the defensive line

I know that this might seem strange. When you enter the 49ers building, you may think that the defense is the strength of the franchise and the offence is where your work will have to begin. But Jim, this team can't win the NFC West, not because they cannot score points, but rather because they simply allow too many points on defence. Look at the New York Jets, they often win games when the offence scores less than 20 points because they have a great defence. So what I did was use the 3-4 system currently implemented at the 49ers, I traded for two bulky defensive tackles who could substitute each other and clog the line of scrimmage and I drafted and traded for speedy defensive ends who could get to the opposition quarterback and cause turnovers.

3. I brought in veteran defensive backs

The NFL is a passing league these days. If you can't cover the pass, you can't win games, period. End of discussion. I kept the current safties, Goldson and Mays. I also kept Spencer as my number 1 corner back. Then I added veteran corner backs with great awareness... Tyron from the Packers, Tramon Williams and Grimes. The result? Great coverage in passing and interceptions after my revised line had put pressure on the opposition QB. You have to pressure the QB Jim, and you have to capitlise on mistakes that result from that pressure.

4. I put priority on getting the ball in Frank Gore's hands

Frank Gore is the most talented playmaker currently on the 49ers roster. Why just use him in the running game Jim? I tried to get the ball in Frank Gore's hands at a minimum of 50% of the time that my offence had the ball. Whether it was runs, screens or check down passes, I knew that the moment Frank Gore had the ball after the line of scrimmage, I had a chance to score points. Keep that man healthy Jim, and keep the ball in his hands.

5. I drafted a second athletic tight-end

While tight-end may seem like a position of strenght with Vernon Davis filling that position on the 49ers roster, I always worried what might happen if Vernon Davis got injured. Also, I drafted a second great tight-end because I knew that my QB would need to get the ball out his hands fast and I also made the consious decision to play 30% of my offensive snaps out of a two tight-end formation. This assisted me in the run game while providing the QB with multiple check down targets.

My final word of advise to you Jim, although I doubt you've read this far, is simply this. The team that you have inherited is not good enough to win the Superbowl. It has been several years since this franchise have been good enough to win its division. Acknowledging a problem is the first step to overcome the problem.

The success of the 49ers will depend on the decisions that you make in moulding the fanchise and it's players. I have given you a brief summary of decisions that I made which brought success to the 49ers franchise... albeit on the Playstation.

Be bold Mr. Harbaugh. Make the hard decisions. Develop a winning strategy and go for the championship with everthing you have...

Remember, if it's in the game, it's in the game.

No Way Jose

NO WAY JOSÉ

Like Cinderella, who broke out of the shadows of evil stepsisters, Barcelona FC have been a welcoming breathe of fresh air to the football world over the last decade.
(If you don not regard Barcelona as a Cinderella club, consider the fact that before 1990 they had never won the European Cup before) Breaking out of the shadow of the evil stepsister and fellow La Liga giants Real Madrid, Barcelona have shown the wealthy European clubs that true footballing beauty and talent can be found from within. Also, like the fairytale Cinderella, Barcelona arrived in Italy last night by coach (albeit it not by their own choosing).

The reason for their venture to Italy was a not to attend a ball. Barcelona were attending a celebration of football. A semi-final vs Inter Milan, the winner of which seems destined to be crowned as the new royalty of Europe.

Awaiting Barcelona in Italy was the ultimate Prince Charming, José Mourinho, who has charmed the footballing world since the day he dragged his F.C. Porto side to the summit of Europe. A fairytale match-up it seemed. A night that had been eagerly anticipated. A game filled with character. But this was to be no fairy-tale for Barcelona. The coach turned into a pumpkin long before the clock struck midnight. This Prince Charming did not chase after Cinderella and search for her after he found a glass slipper. Rather, he ripped the glass slipper off of Cinderella, put it on his mantelpiece and threw Cinderella out town. This is the footballing world. There are no happy ever after stories.

Barcelona were beaten 3-1 last night in Milan. A scoreline that will resonate around Europe and the World. The reigning UEFA Champions League Champions. The darling Cinderella’s of world football. A side that the world thought was unbeatable having only lost a single meaningless league game this season vs Athletico Madrid. A side with the very best players in the footballing world who play the game the way it was meant to be played. This Barcelona side are now on the brink of being tossed off their European throne.

Anyways, enough of this silly fairy-tale parallels and catchy phrases. Let’s review the tactics in the Barca v Inter game last night. For the fanatical football fans (like myself) last night was not about Barcelona being soundly beaten. The game was all about the tactics. We had all waited for this night. The pitting of two of the young tactical football minds against each other. Mourinho v Guardiola. We wanted to know the answer to the ultimate sporting question. Who is the best?

As the sides lined up and the game kicked off, the differing formations and styles of the two sides became apparent. Barcelona began the match with Guardiola’s expected approach. We saw Barca in their 4-5-1 formation with four midfielders playing off the target man Ibrahimovic. Xavi quarterbacking the sides attacks. Busquetes covering the back four. Possesion of the ball would be typically handled like gold by Barca (they would eventually finish the game with 67% of possession. In defence Barca would institute their most underrated tactical weapon. Barca would press in defence, with a hybrid 3/4-trap system and high back four press up the field. (Quick note: The 3/4-trap is a system of defence used in NBA Basketball. It involves the defending side allowing the other side to advance ¾ of the way up the playing field and then sending two defenders to attack the man with the ball. One will try to tackle the ball carrying player, while the other will be on the lookout for interceptions. Barcelona play a hybrid 3/4 –half trap system where one defender attacks the ball carrying player while two additional players stand off and wait for an intercept) This tactic allows Barca to secure the ball high up in the opposing side of the field and catch the opposing defence out of position. Sure enough, Barca’s first goal arrived via this defensive system. The ball was intercepted in Inter territory. Maxwell drove to the Inter goal as the Inter defence was in disarray. He squared the ball to Pedro, who drove the ball into the back of the Inter goal. 1-0 Barca.

What about Inter’s tactics? Mourinho is often referred to as a tactical genius and has the stats to back up such a lofty reference. Tutored under tactical legends Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal, Mourinho has combined the man management of Robson with the tactical brilliance and overflowing self-confidence of van Gaal. That combination has seen Mourinho conquer Portugal, England and Spain over the last decade. The Special One is truly special. Last night was no exception.
Inter fielded the now popular hydrid 4-5-1 formation. (The hybrid 4-5-1 formation features a target man to spearhead the attack, two defensive midfielders and two attacking players playing in the wing position. It is hybrid because one defence it remains 4-5-1, but in attack it morphs into a 4-3-3, with the attacking wingers often interchanging positions with the target man)

So what was different about Inter’s tactics last night. Back to basketball and it’s tactical contribution to the football world. Inter unlike Barca do not man mark on defence. While Barca aim to trap a ball carrying opponent in position, Inter employ the now standard Italian zonal marking defence. The Inter players marked space.

What was new was the full court press and attacking wingers coming back to defend. We had seen a hint of these tactics when Inter brushed Chelsea aside earlier in the knockout phase. Inter would press the Barca ball carrying player deep in Barca territory. A soon as the ball crossed the halfway line, Inter then reverted into their ¼ press. These tactical explanations may seem silly. All I’ll say is watch the game... It’s there.

When two tactical masterminds meet in the footballing world, the tactics and gamesmanship is often loosely referred to as “a game of chess”. Last night was no different. Mourinho and Guardiola had stacked the board and Inter’s victory owed much to simple chess tactics.

A basic chess strategy is to balance your pieces around the board. All pieces should be able to be defend and ready to spring into attack. A chessmaster will neutralise the strengths of the opponent and then attack the opponents weak side.
The strength of this Barcelona side is it’s dynamic centre midfield (with Xavi quarterbacking the side’s attacks) and lethal right-side attack featuring Messi and Daniel Alves. To neutralise the centre midfield, Mourinho employed the full court press, which forced the defence and goalkeeper to play long balls thus bypassing the centre midfield. This tactic cannot be understated. Barcelona do not kick long balls out of defence. The usual Barca tactic is to have Xavi or Busquetes collect the ball from a defender and then dazzle the opposition with a myriad of passes. By forcing the Barca defence to play long balls 50% of the time, Mourinho had achieved one goal – the Barca centre midfield was neutralised for 50% of their attacks.
Moving onto the lethal right side pairing of Alves and Messi. Here similiarly Mourinho kept the tactics simple.

He had the experienced Argentinian mark his countryman Messi. The fact that Messi did not register a single shot on goal in open play speaks volumes for the often underrated brilliance of Zanetti. Also, by constantly playing deep diagonal balls into the right side of Barca’s defence, Mourinho ensured that Alves could not expose the right side of Barca’s defence by joining attacks with his usual wild abandon.
With the Barca strengths adequately contained, Mourinho moved his pieces to the weak left side of the Barca team. Now, the Barca goal came from their left-side, so the argument could be made that it is not weak, but what needs to be remembered is that root cause of the goal was an Inter mistake. The left side of the Barca side features Maxwell and Pedro. Their opposition for the night would be Pandev and Maicon. In a man of the match performance, Pandev (who later left the field with cramp) attacked Barca’s left side and assisted Maicon in defence. Whenever Maicon joined in Inter attacks, it was Pandev that would have to opt out of the attack and cover he vacant right side of Inter’s defence. All three of Inter’s goals came from the Barca’s weak left side. It is no coincidence that when Pandev was replaced by the lazy Boletelli and Maicon was forced off by injury that Barca began to take control of the game in the final 10 minutes. If Wesley Sneijder had not scored a goal and had an unintended assist, the man of the match performance surely should have gone to the little noticed Pandev.

The injury to Maicon looked serious and may be crucial in Mourinho’s tactics for the return leg at the Nou Camp. Zanetti is an able cover for Maicon at right-back, but that leaves Messi to be marked by the Romanian captain Christian Chivu, who is more a centre half than a fullback. The whole balance of Mourinho’s tactics will be upset. The tie is still in the balance. The tactical masterminds will meet again at the Nou Camp. The board will be stacked once more. The question now is whether Mourinho, with the loss of Maicon, can balance his side while neutralising Barca again. For now though, take a bow José... Once more you’ve proven yourself to be special.

A (Lionel) Messi story

MESSI: JUST GREAT OR THE GREATEST?

When the sporting world begins a sentence by saying, “he could be better than Maradona,” there better be a multitude of facts to substantiate such high praise.
Well, the stats on Lionel Messi are jaw-dropping!

For the uninformed here’s a quick reminder. He is a 22 year old first team player for argentina, his won the champions league title twice and la liga several times. In 2009 he was awarded both the FIFA World player of the year and European player of the year awards. Messi has scored more than 100 goals for Barcelona. (Remember these are the stats of a 22 year old)

In the 2009/10 season he scored plus 40 goals for Barcelona in all competitions (there are still a good two hands full of games left before the season is done). The man is great, of that there can be no doubt or debate. To properly comprehend Messi’s goal scoring heroics this season we need to understand that in the greatest year of his legendary career, the superb Brazilian Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games. Messi is just 8 goals away from overtaking that mark. The question is no longer if Messi will eclipse Ronaldo’s single season scoring record. Rather the question is when he will do it.

Claims of being the new Maradona? Goal scoring statistics that surpass the legendary Ronaldo (not Christiano).

Is Lionel Messi laying claim to being the greatest footballer ever? The new Maradona???? Really...

Diego Maradona has reigned supreme atop the greatest ever throne since 1986. For 24 years, through the Figo’s, Romario’s, Klinsmann’s, Ronaldo’s and Zidane’s eras, his title has remained unchallenged. Maradona made his full international debut for Argentina at the age of 16 years old. The great Argentinian took an ordinary Argentina side to two World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990. At club level Maradona pushed little known Napoli to the Serie A crown. Napoli and Argentina have never achieved such lofty heights again.

Maradona infamously scored the “Hand of God” and “Feet of God” goals in one World Cup game against England at the 1986 World Cup. The feet of god goal is lesser known than the now notorious hand of god goal. Brief summary – Maradona received the ball at the centre line. He bears down on goal while beating Englishmen Glenn Hoddle, Peter Reid, Kenny Sansom, Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick. When 1 vs 1 against the mythical goalkeeper Peter Shilton, Maradona rounds the keeper and slots the ball between the posts.

(I will never understand the great gripe that the English have over the whole hand of god goal incident. If Maradona really needed his hand to cheat so as to beat the English, then why minutes later would he decide to run from the centre line, beat 5-6 English players and score a goal without using his hand then? The English were simply not good enough to beat the Maradona’s Argentinians in 1986. Nobody was.)

So is the claim that Messi is the new Maradona justified? They are both Argentinian. Both are short and strong on the ball. Messi did score a hand of god type goal in 2007 vs Espanyol in La Liga. Messi also scored a feet of god type goal in 2007 vs Getafe in a Copa del Rey semi-final. Although these two goals seemed to conjure up a feverish comparison between Messi and Maradona, perhaps it is the context of the Messi goals that provides the greatest difference between the two Argentinians. Maradona made his name in the international arena and scored both his feet of god and hand of god goals vs England in a World Cup game. Messi has made his name at club level for Barcelona. His comparative goals coming against Espanyol and Getafe respectively. (In fact, Messi has played terribly for Argentina. He is often booed off by Argentinian fans when he is substituted, and he was in that Argentinian side that lost 6-1 to Bolivia in 2009)

The question that hangs over Messi is whether he can be as good as Maradona on the international stage, or is he merely a great player that benefits from playing in a world class Barcelona side? The conclusion is straight forward. While we might marvel at Messi, his ability on the field and his amazing career stats at only the age of 22, there remains a cloud over his career. Or perhaps more appropriately there hangs a shadow over Lionel Messi. The long shadow stems from the feet of the great Diego Maradona.

The 2010 World Cup will provide Messi with a chance to step out of Maradona’s shadow, however, let us not forget that the 2010 Argentinian side will be coached by none other than Mr. D. Maradona. How does one step out of your coach’s shadow?
There really can be argument that L. Messi is a great player. But is he really the new Maradona? Is he the greatest of all time? Truth be told, if Messi is ever to be considered as the greatest, then he will have to shake off the tag as the new Maradona. He cannot be both.

The famous line that, “the real great ones remind us of no one else”, says it all. At the moment, Messi is reminding us of the great Maradona, and that is the one thing that stops him claiming the crown as the greatest.

(Postscript: Messi failed to perform at the 2010 World Cup and we still believe that Maradona is the greatest of all time)

The Jimmy Cook Curse

PIRATES OF THE CARIBEAN AND THE JIMMY COOK CURSE

Hindsight is twenty-twenty. And twenty-twenty cricket is the way the future of the sport. The recent 20/20 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies has been neatly packaged, fresh, exciting... and sour for all South African cricket lovers.

Here are some quick notes from the last World Cup:

• Australia are beginning to find their legs in the 20/20 format of the game. The performance of the Aussies in this World Cup has shown once again that it is better to have a man fear you than have a man respect. At least that is what the “real” Frank Lucas of American Gangster fame said. The Aussies take the simple approach of hitting the opposing team with a straight right in the nose early in the game thereby putting the fear of God in the opposition. The kicking the man while he is down part that comes thereafter is pure Aussie attitude of take no prisoners... except if they are immigrating from the British Empire to a god-forsaken island.

• The West Indies is in the Caribbean. The Caribbean was the place frequented by Pirates in the good old days. The English navy made it a point to flush out all pirates and did a splendid job at ending the era of the pirates. (The English obviously forgot those pirates in Somalia) Now with the 20/20 World Cup in the West Indies, it seemed ironic that it is the English side who have become the real pirates of the cricketing world. Very good pirates I might add. Black Beard would have so proud. The English have plundered the South African shores to the tune of three top order batsmen (Lumb, Kieswetter, Pietersen), and as if that wasn’t enough, the English even had the audacity to steal from the Irish (Morgan). The luck that this English side has had at the recent World Cup shows that the English may even have robbed the Irish of their renowned, but never seen, Irish luck.

• South Africa is the joke of the cricketing world. The Jimmy Cook Curse is alive. If there aren’t wholesale changes to the South African side (and despite all the talk, there won’t be) then I’ll eat this article (munch munch... tastes good, I didn’t even choke.)

What is the Jimmy Cook Curse you may be asking? Well, as a (semi-retired) South African cricketing supporter, it was the one way I could explain the misfortunes of the (formerly) beloved Proteas. Forget 2003 and the whole Duckworth-Lewis rain debacle that saw South Africa draw Sri Lanka and exit the World Cup at the group stage. Erase from your memories that scene in 1999 of Donald and Klusener shaking hands in the middle of the pitch while the Aussies celebrated a draw and the elimination of South Africa in the semi-final. Plead amnesia when someone talks about the fact that the Proteas rested Fanie de Villiers and Allan Donald during a knockout match vs Brian Lara’s West Indies at the 1996 World Cup. Remain silent as you see that famous sign of 22 runs off 1 ball as Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson saw in the semi-final of the 1992 World Cup. You want to know the real reason why South Africa never succeed in the big match? Look no further than Jimmy Cook and the curse.

In 1992, Jimmy Cook was approaching 40 years. He’d had a great provincial and county cricket career, but due to ban on South Africa competing in international sports, he had never had the chance to represent his country at international level. So cruel and unfair, poor Jimmy. (Cry me a river, Mr. Sono, and South African soccer suffered the worst during the isolation period, that’s a fact... poor Jomo)

When South Africa were readmitted into the cricketing world, many of the “greats” – Clive Rice, Jimmy Cook and Peter Kirsten were old and bald, but despite their age, they were selected to represent South Africa in the Indian tour of 1992. Now, let’s make this clear, these guys were old, very old, but they still wanted to play. They knew that they were pass their prime, but to hell with that, they wanted to represent their country. Noble? Maybe... True? No....

Jimmy Cook and Clive Rice probably couldn’t have cared less about representing South Africa. What these old players wanted was a chance to show the world that they could have been great international players had South Africa not been banned. They had been denied a chance to have glorious international careers simply because the world though Apartheid was wrong. Shame. So here comes the Indians with players like Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Srinath etc. and the South African old boys see a chance to show the world that South Africa have an overflowing amount of cricket talent. Am I accusing Cook and Rice of being anti-South Africa? No, they probably loved South Africa. What should be said is that they were no less selfish and arrogant than the present day Proteas. They believed themselves to be great players and bigger than the team... and that stain has carried over to the present day Proteas.

Example 1: A.B. de Villiers comes out and says I don’t want to play wicketkeeper. Imagine any player in any international cricketing country coming out and saying that I don’t want to play a certain position. So much for being grateful just for being selected and contributing to the team effort.

Example 2: The shock that the South African players feel when they lose Pakistan in a game where they were required to score 7.5 runs per over. Who is Pakistan? (Uhm.. the 2009 champions of 20/20 cricket) We’re better and should have coasted to victory.

Example 3: When the 20/20 format first began, South Africa used it as way of introducing young players to the pressures of international cricket. Young players were picked in these games and the regular (old) players had a well earned rest. Then 20/20 cricket began to be the big money spinner in the cricketing world. So the regular players wanted back in and the younger players were booted out. Besides J. P. Duminy, A.B. de Villiers and Dale Steyn. What other young talent was representing South Africa at the 20/20 World Cup? Take a look at the other international sides... Where is the new and fresh players? Could it have something to do with players liking the 20/20 money... hmmm. (Ricky Ponting and Tendulkar have said that they will give younger guys a chance to represent their countries in 20/20 games. Would Mark Boucher do this? Kallis? Smith?)

The South African public ate it all up. How can a team of Indians with strange names like Sachin, Kapil, Javagal and Anil think that they can come to South Africa and beat the great Jimmy Cook and our (old) boys. It was our time to show the world that South Africa are not just good, we are the best. The public ate all the media talk of how great the South African players were... As South Africans we began to believe our team to be the best (And we still have this problem). Then the first test against India started at Durban.

Kapil Dev (what a funny name) ran in to bowl the first ball to Jimmy Cook at Durban. The first ball to be bowled in the first test since South Africa’s readmission. Kapil Dev (really who is he? Does he really think he has a chance against the great Jimmy?)

Jimmy Cook is out. 0 runs 1 ball faced. The curse begins.

Who is the greatest?

“THE GREATEST DEBATE”

As a sports loving South African, I’ve come to rely on two rules of thumb. (1) Believe in God, but lock your car (Especially if you’re going to be leaving your car outside a sporting ground for the best part of two hours), (2) Never (NEVER!!!!!) trust an Australian.

Rule #1 is self-explanatory... Hello!!! I live in Africa. When parking your vehicle in South Africa, (Anywhere in South Africa. Yes, even when you’re just stopping for a 5 minute drop and run) lock your car!!

For Rule #2 see Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, the Australian Prime Minister, Mel Gibson, etc. Seriously, go and google these “famous” Australian personalities. Look at their faces. These men can’t be trusted. If South Africa truly is the crime capital of the world, (I always question this often quoted stat. I’m 26 years old, lived in South Africa my whole life, house was broken into three times, car stolen once, car radio stolen once, robbed by knife point once... Okay maybe I shouldn’t question that stat. But I’m still alive. Yes, you get my point. Thank you.)

Now where was I... If South African truly is the crime capital of the world, let us not forget that the founding fathers of Australia were hardened criminals who were shipped to a god-forsaken island. Also, since 1994 thousands of South Africans who were happy living in South Africa under the sadistic apartheid government, have emigrated to Australia and were warmly embraced in their “new found land”. The point being I like Mel Gibson, but I don’t trust him.

I will be the first to admit that I’ve broken Rule #1 (See above – car stolen once. Sigh.) , but i’ve never trusted an Australian. Never.

Okay point made. Now for the sporting debate. Donald Bradman – The Greatest Cricketer Ever????

For as long as I can remember (Quick check: Sporting memory A+; Real life memory F-. Too many Castle lagers. Long story. Don’t remember much of it), we (the Rest of the cricketing world besides Australia) have been told (mostly by Australians + told not advised) that Sir Donald is the greatest all-time cricket player to ever grace the oval field. They (the Australians) beat their hairy chests (starting to feel sick) and point to the Donald’s most impressive stat – 99.9 batting average. Look it is impressive, I’m not even going to try to argue against it. There’s no point, the man was a great.

But greatest of all-time??? Hmm...

I (a South African) beg to differ mate.
No disrespect to Mr. Bradman, who played before helmets and other technological developments in the cricketing world, but let us not forget what else D. Bradman played without:

• A cricket mad and savvy subcontinent. There have been players who arrive on the subcontinental grounds with fantastic batting averages and even better reputations. Only to leave broken players, with holes in their techniques having been exposed and weaker batting averages. The emergence of the subcontinent superpowers – Pakistan (they are still playing cricket right?); India and Sri Lanka took place well after the Don’s time. The cricketing world has forever changed since their emergence.

• The fielding in the modern era. These days not only do all players dive with regularity and increasing effectiveness to stop runs and take catches (imagine that Mr. Bradman), but the modern day fielder will often turn around and chase a ball that has beaten the inner ring of fielders so as to stop boundaries. (I agree Donald, it’s unbelievable I tell you).

• South Africa are good. Very good. The days are fast nearing when South Africa will not only be the best test match nation in the world. South Africa will also boast the best bowler in the world (Dale Steyn – currently number 1), the best batsman and captain in the world (Graeme Smith – currently in the top three). The facts are simple. The current South African cricketing side is good, very good. Since South Africa’s re-admission into the cricketing world, the gold and green have consistently had an impressive fast bowling attack and green pitches that have terrorised many superstars of world cricket. (Drawid – 35.33 Avg. vs SA, Lara – 46.72 Avg. vs SA, Tendulkar – 36.42 vs SA, and on his last tour of SA the much heralded Kevin Pietersen averaged in the mid 20’s) The overwhelming fact is that Donald (Sir) would have found it extremely hard to sustain his 99.9 batting average vs the post re-admission South African sides.

Now what makes a cricketer a contender for the greatest of all-time? Sure he’d have to be exceptional at either his batting craft or bowling skill. Perhaps even just a great fielder (See Jonty Rhodes). What if one player was exceptional and great at all three facets of the game. A feared batsmen. A wicket taking bowler. A superb fielder. Donald Bradman?? No. Bradman only took 2 wickets during his entire international career. The Don did average a catch a game, so he was clearly a good fielder. Sir Donald Bradman – 2 out of three. A great player no doubt. The greatest cricketer ever??? Hmm...

For more years than anyone can remember , a man by the name of Jacques Kallis has been rated as the best all round cricketer currently playing the game. This leads to the obvious question. If Jacques Kallis has been the best allrounder in world cricket for the best part of 10 plus years (nevermind the rankings, just ask anyone with a decent knowledge of the game), then shouldn’t Mr. Kallis be considered when determining the greatest cricketer of all time?

Let’s put J. Kallis to the test. He can bat (Very, very, very well). He can bowl (at his prime 140km/h plus and bowling first change). He can catch (Perhaps the greatest slip fielder of all time. If your life depended on a catch, wouldn’t you want to see a ball headed in the direction of Jacques Kallis? My hand is raised).

So that’s the simple argument for Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer of all time. He bats. He bowls. He catches. You need more??????? Since cricket is a game of stats here are some stats to chew on (Stats as of December 2009):

Tests: 135 matches; 281 innings, 10 640 runs, batting avg. 54.56, 33 – 100’s, 52 – 50’s, 1197 – 4’s;
ODI’s: 295 matches; 281 innings, 10 409 runs, batting avg. 45.25, 16 – 100’s, 74 – 50’s, 826 – 4’s;

Combined batting stats:
430 matches, 509 innings, 21 409 runs, batting avg. 49.905, 49 – 100’s, 126 – 50’s, 2023 – 4’s.

He can bowl too.
Tests: 135 matches, 224 innings, 260 wickets, bowling avg. 31.40, 4wickets/inn. – 7;
ODI’s: 295 matches, 258 innings, 248 wickets, bowling avg. 32.40, 4wickets/inn. – 2;
Combined bowling stats:
430 matches, 482 innings, 518 wickets, bowling avg. 31.75, 4wickets/inn. – 9.

You need more convincing????? He can catch. (I never did trust Australians).

Postscript:
Bradman’s stats.
Batting Stats:
Tests: 52 matches, 6996 runs, batting avg. 99.94, 29 – 100’s, 13 – 50’s;
ODI’s: 0 matches, o runs, batting avg. 0.00, 0 – 100’s, 0 -50’s.
Bowling stats:
Tests: 160 balls bowled, 2 wickets;
ODI’s: 0 balls bowled, 0 wickets.

I rest my case. Rule #2 – Never trust an Australian.

(stats were taken in mid 2010 – Kallis has improved on perfection since then)

Top Ten Sport Movies

Top Ten Sport Movies of All Time

As a proud South African I recently performed my civic duty and watched the movie “Invictus”. (In case you live on Saturn and don’t know what the film is about, its a dramatised version of the Springboks winning the 1995 World Cup, starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, directed by Clint Eastwood.)

Sadly, when the credits rolled and the film had ended, I felt disappointed. Look its not that the film was bad, but I was in South Africa during 1995. I know how that 1995 World Cup win felt for the whole of South Africa. Clint Eastwood is a fantastic director. I loved Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, but his fault in this film lies in the fact that he is not a South African. The symbolism is there. The emotional aspect of being a South African during 1995 is off the mark. And as good as an actor that Morgan Freeman is (again, I loved Million Dollar Baby), there is no man that can play Nelson Mandela. Madiba is Madiba. Mr. Mandela does not win Oscars, he wins Nobel Peace Prizes.

As I continued to watch the credits of Invictus, I began to think of other sport movies, most of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Yes... Slowly but surely I ranked them. Finally I had a list of my top ten sport movies of all time.

Two rules.
Rule #1 - No picking of more than two movies from the same sport.
Rule #2 – The movie must be based on a sport that actually exists. (Sorry to all the Vin Diesel fans. Street racing is not a sport. Drag racing is a sport. So “Fast and the Furious” does not qualify.

#10 – Two for the Money
Starring Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey and Rene Russo.
I was surprised that this film didn’t receive rave reviews by the critics. Then again most sport films don’t. The film is a kind of sporting translation of the Devil’s Advocate with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. Instead of playing uhm... the devil, Pacino plays the devil of sport, namely a sports bookie. McConaughey plays a potential American Football star who has his career ended in his last college game. However, McConaughey possesses a talent in predicting the outcome of sports games. Pacino invites him to the city and they begin a successful working relationship together. McConaughey is an overnight success and is soon on a hot streak in picking the results of games. Not everything goes according to plan, soon the streak stops. The action is superb. The dialogue between Pacino and McConaughey is superbly acted. By the end of the film we see how unpredictable sport is and how by making a business out of sport, the passion and enthusiasm for the game is lost. If you haven’t seen this film go out and rent it.

#9 – Million Dollar Baby
Starring Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank
This film won countless Oscars. The performances delivered by Eastwood, Freeman and Swank are flawless. I don’t watch women’s boxing much. Don’t think I ever will. But you have got to give credit where it’s due. Swank is the second greatest actress of all time (Meryl Streep is obviously #1). I know you watched this film. I know you loved it. Yes, it does get a bit too sentimental at the end, but you cannot take away the fact that it deserves to be in the top ten.

#8 – Maverick
Starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster
Yes, poker is a sport. It’s on ESPN everyday. I know that most people might rank “Rounders” with Matt Damon as the greatest poker film of all time, but me... I’m picking Maverick. The storyline is okay. The whole wild west theme provides a great backdrop. The performances of Gibson and Foster help the film skip along at a decent pace. And the poker... well let’s just say that although the technical aspects are explored in depth, the excitement and skill of the game made me a fan. This is poker in the old sense. Five card draw poker. It’s the wild west... there was no Texas hold ‘em back then. Texas is in the south.

#7 – Any Given Sunday
Starring Jamie Fox, Al Pacino and Dennis Quaid
Al Pacino starring in two movies in the top ten sport movies of all time? “Who would thunk it?” I love American Football. I was crazy about this film. Willie Beaman, played by Fox, is the back-up Quarterback who gets his chance when the starter, played by Quaid, is injured. Pacino plays the coach who can’t believe how lucky he is when Fox delivers star performances. Fox’s ego explodes and his performances suffer. Pacino gives him the pep talk. Quaid comes back to show Fox how a leader is supposed to lead his teammates. Fox, learns and comes back better than ever. The game of American Football was the winner in this movie. Outstanding sport action sequences. And ofcourse Mr. Willie Beaman as that mobile and exciting Quarterback. Yes Willie Beaman, you are steaming.

#6 – White men can’t jump
Starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Haralson
Hands down the best basketball movie of all time. And yes I know that street basketball is not exactly a sport, but they do play street basketball in the States and it does have officially sanctioned events. Haralson plays Billy, the white guy that nobody thinks can shoot hoops. Sydney (Wesley Snipes) is the ultimate street basketball player, he’s got the skill, the moves, the attitude, but he misses in the clutch situation. A great duo is born when the two team up. Haralson compliments Snipes’ skills by having a range of good passes, the defence and delivering the clutch shots. The movie is not really about white men that can’t dunk. Haralson hits a dunk at the end of the film. Rather the movie is about teamwork, team chemistry and trusting your teammate. I love the unclipped shots of Snipes and Haralson hitting their shots in the movie.

#5 – Jerry McGuire
Starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jnr and Reese Witherspoon
SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! There are some films where all you have to do is mention a line from the film or sing a song and everyone in the room instantly knows what you are talking about. This film is definitely one of them. As a sports agent Cruise hits rock bottom when he is fired and his only hope lies in his last client, an American Football player (Cuba). Witherspoon leaves her job to join Cruise as he starts a new sports agency along with a fish that Cruise steals as he leaves the old company. The relationship that Cruise and Cuba build throughout the film enables them both to achieve on and off the sports field. It’s a serious feel-good film. Cuba won an Oscar. You can watch this film with your girlfriend as the relationship between Cruise and Witherspoon provides the romance. The only downside is that after watching the film with your lady, you won’t again be able to use the can’t fail lines of YOU HAD ME AT HELLO.... and YOU COMPLETE ME.

#4 – Major League Baseball
Starring Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes
No matter how many times I see Charlie Sheen in the series “Two and a half men”, I can’t help thinking, there goes WILD THING. Yes, that’s the power of this film. Next time you’re sitting with your mates just say WILD THING! out of the blue... Then watch as they instantly either start singing the theme song to this film or start rolling on the floor laughing. Although the film is about baseball and Sheen plays a young pitcher, fans around the world when watching any sport still look at the ground’s gates when things are not going their sides way... and they hope to hear the music and see WILD THING step through the gates and save their team. You know it’s true.

#3 – The Natural
Starring Robert Redford
I encountered this film one late evening while watching the networks play old films or re-runs, and this film blew me away. Grab your TV guide and see when it is playing again or go and rent this movie at the local video store. Redford plays a young baseball prodigy who seemingly has it all, and perhaps could be the greatest ever. Then before even starting a game in the bug league, he is shot. Fifteen years later he finally gets his chance in the big league. Older, wiser, but still carrying physical and emotional injuries from being shot all those years ago, Redford begins to play a season that will go down as one of the greatest. I am not a Robert Redford fan (Sorry Mom.), but his performance in this film blew me away just like he blew out the floodlights when hitting his last homerun. This is a must see for any fan of sport movies.

#2 – Victory
Starring Pele, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine.
The symbolism in this film is what draws you in. Yes it’s great to see Stallone as a goalkeeper and Pele as the dream striker. But here we have a game of soccer being used to show that evil (in this case the Nazi’s) can be defeated. Delivering probably one of his greatest performances, Michael Caine plays the coach of a team of prisoners that will play a match against a team representing the Nazi’s. You’ve got to enjoy Stallone’s performance as a goalkeeper. And Pele’s bicycle goal at the end... Glad to see the great man on TV and not just promoting “performance enhancing” medication in those creepy adverts.

#1 – Rocky
Starring Sylvester Stallone aka Rocky Balboa
I could have listed as least three of the six Rocky movies in the top ten of sport movies. That just wouldn’t be fair to the other movies. If you have never watched a Rocky movie before, then you’re either dead or lying. How many young guys wanted to by Rocky? How many people want to start running up steps when they begin to hear the intro to the Rocky theme music and Eye of the Tiger. How many times has a bigger guy looked at you the wrong way and you thought, he’s lucky that I don’t go Rocky on his #$$. The film established Stallone as a Superstar. The film encapsulated everything it means to be a sports athlete and a sports fan. If you didn’t like one Rocky then you don’t like sports. That’s how guys should test if a potential girl is the one for them. Put on a Rocky film. Let her watch with you. If she shouts “COME ON ROCKY!!!” Get on your knees... You’ve got a keeper.
Let me know your top ten people.