Follow Up COCACAF-Netherland Antilles

I got some insight on the Netherland Antilles Team. A comment posted on oleole.com (This blog is imported to oleole.com) stated Netherland Antilles is in the rise. FIFA.com and CONCACAF's website states the same thing. The comment continued "he would be surprised if Netherland Antilles pulls a a win from the Caribbean Super Power Haiti. Netherland Antilles relies on many foreign players mostly from the Netherlands". I also checked Haiti has been on a decline. Good news for Netherland Antilles. The Netherland Antilles is made up with several islands in the Caribbean, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Saint Maarten and St. Eustatius.
Netherland Antilles lost by one goal in a friendly to Venezuela.
See FIFA's article below.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=719831.html#the+antilles+serious

I can't wait until Sunday to see the match between Haiti and Netherland Antilles.
I will also tape the Euro2008 to view later, I am really enjoying the Euro2008.
Especially the Netherlands winning like they did yesterday against France and earlier vs. Italy.
Most importantly, I need to cheer the US team when they play Barbados.

How sweet it is to be wrong-Euro2008 Netherlands vs. France. And More

Before the tournament, I would have picked France over Netherlands. After them thumping Italy, I picked this game as a draw. How sweet to be wrong. Netherlands wins big again. I am cautiously optimistic. Nice game. Nice defense, some nice attacks. The trio from Real Madrid are really something. All three now have scored in Euro2008. All along I would have picked the Netherlands to beat Romania. Next game. Still stands but I hope this time I am right. Netherlands over Romania. I picked Romania last before the tournament. I am cheering the Netherlands to go all the way. I am stating "cheering not picking". It's going to be very tough.

Italy has not done that well in Euro2008, but that could change. Italy must win the next game or they are finished. Cio. Germany and Portugal will be extremely tough. You can not count out Croatia, they beat Germany yesterday. Croatia is hurt but could be dangerous. Sweden, I am not convinced that they will do much. Good opening game but even if they make it to the knock out rounds, it will be just that, they will be knocked out. Spain has always under achieved with all the talent. You can not count them out. Spain is currently in 1st place in their division. They have the talent to win it all too. I pick Spain to win their Division but will they disappoint their fans during the knock out rounds. Time will tell.

This will be a exciting Euro2008.

CONCACAF-World Cup Qualifying picks for this weekend

I thought I would have some fun and make my picks for CONCACAF. I will include some Caribbean Island Teams as well. Time for a tropical drink, sit back and enjoy the game.
Some games are easy to make based on the books, it appears to be a mismatch. Those can be the dangerous and embarrassing games too. Some Caribbean Ball Clubs I am not familiar with which is why this is going to be fun.

Grenada vs. Costa Rica: Costa Rica should win this match. They have some nice talent on their squad. I am concerned they may not qualify for World Cup but time will tell. I would love to see them qualify. Costa Rica qualified for World Cup 2006 but did not produce results. Grenada is a small island in the Southern Caribbean.

Guatemala vs. St. Lucia: I have been in St. Lucia, along with Cricket they really enjoy their football. As we say in the US, Soccer. Guatemala has a good squad who could qualify for World Cup. They are a rising team in Central America.

Puerto Rico vs. Honduras: Puerto Rico is better known for it's baseball and Honduras has some good Futbol Clubs. I pick Honduras to win this match.

USA vs. Barbados: USA better win this one. Much better team than this beautiful island nation. Some heat is on the US to produce better results. This should be a mismatch but US better never take any team lightly. It appears we are still hurting in some positions but should still win this match.

Haiti vs. Netherland Antilles: I believe Aruba has their own squad but I have visited the ABC islands twice. Very nice places to visit. There are other islands that make the Netherland Antilles. Anyway back to Soccer. Netherland Antilles love their football. Haiti is a much higher rated team. Home field makes a difference. Not sure who is hosting, I am going on the limb and pick Netherland Antilles to lose to Haiti. I hope I am wrong since I am part Dutch. Would love to see Netherland Antilles win this one.

Jamaica vs. Bahamas: Based on much higher ranking, I will pick Jamaica to win this one.

Belize vs. Mexico: I guess Mexico has to play everyone. This should be a easy one for Mexico to win under their new Coach.

Panama vs. El Salvador: Many people are saying Panama is a rising ball club. El Salvador has some decent ball clubs and maybe be known more for Football instead of Panama. Panama has a better team, higher ranked and I will Panama to beat El Salvador.

This is why I love the CONCACAF. So much variety. You have large countries like US, Mexico and Canada competing You have great Soccer Nations like Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras. Then you have small Caribbean Nations like Jamaica, Barbados, Belize and many more. It maybe a mismatch but every Country deserves a chance. No matter how big or how
small.
I love Soccer at all levels too. From Big Ball Clubs in Europe to various ball clubs (larger & small) in Central America to the ball clubs in South America. This weekend I am looking forward to watching some Caribbean Nations play for their nation. Two CONCACAF matches are on GOL TV. Haiti vs. Netherland Antilles and Jamaica vs. Bahamas. I can't wait. I will sit back, have a fruit smoothy and enjoy the games.

Euro 2008 Thoughts

There were a couple more surprises for me. Germany losing to Croatia today. It was my understanding Croatia had some injuries. I thought (still can happen) Germany will win the whole Euro 2008. Great players. I thought Croatia with the injuries, Germany would win this one. I am still shocked with Sweden's win over defending champion Greece. Greece, one of the top teams in the World losing to Sweden who has struggled over the years.

Italy vs. Romania: Good match. Italy is under some heat. I will pick Italy to win this one. They mabe adging I still think they have what it takes to win.

Netherlands vs. France: Sorry France, I am cheering on the Netherlands. I am part Dutch. I did pick France over Netherlands but I hope the Netherlands prove me wrong. This could end in a draw. Does this seem to be a polititian answer? I will go againts my original pick and will pick this game to end in a draw.

My South America 2010 World Cup Qualifiers Picks

Here are my picks for the South America World Cup Qualifiers for this weekend.

Uruguay vs. Venezuela: Venezuela is a rising team. They proved that with a friendly win against Brazil. Uruguay is a good ball club. They are hoping to do better than the first round. I will pick Uruguay to win. They are a good ball club and will come out to play.

Peru vs. Columbia: Peru didn't play very well in the first round. Columbia has a pretty decent squad. I will pick Columbia to win this match.

Brazil against first place Paraguay: Brazil won of the top teams in the world will come out hungry against a good Paraguay squad. Brazil which had a shocking defeat in a friendly game against Venezuela. Brazil will come out hungry with full guns loaded. It will be a good squeaker game, I pick Brazil to edge Paraguay. The heat is on Brazil's coach.

Argentina vs. Ecuador: Number 1 team in the world against struggling Ecuador. Ecuador has a new Coach, it will be interesting to see the results. Argentina is coming off a shocking draw against the US. I don't think Argentina took US seriously enough not to take anything away from our draw. Argentina has some of the best players in the World on their squad and should beat Ecuador.

Bolivia vs. Chile: Last place Bolivia against Chile who has struggled. Chile has the better ball club which I think Chile will win this match.

Uruguay vs. Peru: Uruguay has the better ball club. Peru has not played that well. I pick Uruguay to win this match.

Bolivia vs. Paraguay: Worst against the best in the standings. Bolivia is not strong enough to handle Paraguay. Upsets can happen, I think Paraguay will come out as I do pick Paraguay to lose to Brazil. Paraguay to beat Bolivia.

Ecuador vs. Columbia: Nice match but Ecuador has not played that well. The heat will be on. Columbia is a fine club and will win this match.

Brazil vs. Argentina: What a smoker. Super Classic. Both teams fully loaded. I will actually pick this game to end in a draw as it will be a hard fought match on both sides.

Venezuela vs. Chile: The rising ball club Venezuela against Chile. I think this will be a hard fought game and will end in a draw.

I am making these picks without knowing who is hosting. I do know Bolivia is hosting Paraguay. I saw an article regarding the condition of the playing field.

One Suprise one no suprise

I was not surprised that Spain had beaten Russia. Spain has a stronger team, some elite players on elite teams. Russia has been on the rise.
I was pretty surprised that Sweden had beaten Greece. I felt Greece had a stronger squad. They are defending the trophy. Sweden came out to prove that they should get some respect. I picked Sweden to finish last in their division. Time will tell if I am way off. Greece will come back. They have a good squad. I felt this match did not have many attacks. Very cautiously played game. I dosed off at one point. Greece had more time of possession but the result was different.

Today's Euro 2008 Picks

Spain againts Russia: Spain will win this match. Better ball club. Russia is on the rise but Spain is a much better team. Spain is ranked number 4 and Russia is ranked number 24.
Greece againts Sweden: Sweden is not as good as they have been in the previous years. Greece is in the top 10. A rising national team. Greece will win this match.
Other than Spain, I have not seen the other Teams. I have to go by history, ranking and what I have read.

wow-spoke too soon. Suprises today at Euro2008

Wow. My wish came true. Netherlands whipped Italy. I did not see that coming but I am so happy my predictions was wrong. Great win. Next they will face France which was dissapointing today. France will come out hungry as they could only master a draw againts Romania.
Great win Netherlands.

No suprises so far in Euro 2008

I have not seen any of the matches as of yet, there have not been any suprises for me so far.

• Czech Republic is a better team than the host Switzerland.
• Portugal with some great players like Pepe, Deco and Ronaldo beating Turkey.
• Germany beating Poland. Germany can win it all, but France and Italy will have something to say.

Today, I pick France to beat Romania and I hope I am wrong on this one. Italy to beat Holland. I want Holland to win the whole thing. Holland is in a very tough division but they still have a great team. Who knows, they can suprise me.

Wow!Brazil looses friendly to Venezuela??

I am totally stuned that Brazil lost to Venezuela. Brazil one of the top teams in the world losing to a vastly improved Venezuela. Brazil is still a much better team than Venezula. Venezuela use to be the laugh of South America. Always loosing big. I did not see the game. The heat will be on for Brazil. Now they really need to rebound and play at their best during the World Cup Qualifyers. Maybe it is a good thing. They learned they can not under estimate any team.

My Euro 2008 Picks

Here are my picks for Euro 2008. I had already done my picks on another site, I thought I would post here as well, even though the games had already started. I have not kept track so far due to my envolvment in Futsal. So here are my picks for each division.

Group A:
Portugal
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Turkey

Group B
Germany
Croatia
Poland
Austria

Group C
Italy
France
Holland (love to see Holland win the whole thing but too tough of a Group)
Romania

Group D
Spain
Russia
Greece
Sweden