https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/479810083640336385
This photo had me laughing for far too long. Which is just what I needed! So the important news out of Group D is Balotelli had his face carved into a watermelon. And that’s about it. Wait, there’s something else? There is? Oh right. The other important news is that there will be two past World Cup champions eliminated out of Group D as of this coming Tuesday. SURPRISE!!! Costa Rica, the team most people dismissed in the pool, has become the spoiler I thought they might be and are through to the knockout round.
And with that there is lots and lots to regale you with for this group before ‘D’ D-day, so let’s get to it!
Costa Rica
Allow me to introduce, once again, the leaders of Group D, the first team in Group D to qualify for the knock-out stage, and the first CONCAFAF team to win two consecutive games at a World Cup:
For a team that had trouble setting up friendlies before the tournament they should have no trouble in the future.
Translation: “Thank you Costa Rica that triumph is yours. Celebrate big we are going for more!”
And so Costa Rica did! Here’s a video of fans celebrating the victory in San Pedro. It may be the best behaved victory celebration ever.
Some CONCAFAF lovin’:
And some English lovin’:
Joel Campbell’s dad Humberto gave an interview before the Italy game. In it, he talked about his son’s football skills and shared this little nugget:
<blockquote>“When he was young I used to work a lot on a cruise ship,” said Humberto. “When I came back I brought videos of Pele and Maradona.
“When I showed him one piece of skill from Maradona, he said, ‘Pop, where did he get that from? I invented that.’ I told him that was impossible, but he took me out on the porch and he showed me the trick. I knew then I had a little Maradona on my hands.”</blockquote>
Just a waiting game now as to when the two get to meet.
Speaking of Maradona, he was outraged at hearing that seven Costa Rica players were pulled into drug testing following the Italy game. So outraged, he accused FIFA of discriminating against the players and suggested a conspiracy afoot. In addition to the two players from each team randomly selected for testing:
The world governing body admitted the five unnamed stars were targeted, but only because they were among the nine per cent of players in Brazil unavailable for pre-tournament testing as part of its new biological passport programme.
Sure, okay. But you couldn’t have done it, oh I don’t know, after a training session? I do enjoy how this article refers to these players “stars” though.
Costa Rica’s fan base keeps growing. Bolaños and Gamboa posted these photos of fans swarming their team bus in Santos yesterday.
Bolaños posted this nice shot of Recife the night before the game vs Italy (if you like buildings at night, that is):
Here’s some additional proof these players stick together. Forward Álvaro Saborío broke his foot just prior to the World Cup, but he came anyway. The team helps him out with the scooter and with travel to and from the games.
How can I get one?
Here’s Saborio with Borges before the game in Recife
Speaking of Borges, he gave a great interview with The Guardian, talking about Costa Rica’s chances and playing in the shadow his famous footballer dad Alexandre Guimarães. Guimarães was the man who provided the assist to Hernán Medford in the 88th minute of the Sweden match created the decisive goal in 1990. That goal sent Costa Rica through the round of 16 for the first time.
Back in training
Translation: We continue fulfilling our dreams and those of the entire country
Italy
How did I miss this from the first game vs England?
Immobile flashing some thigh
And this?
Legends – Gerrard and Pirlo
Love that Pirlo saved his jersey for Gerrard. Unfortunately, Gerrard had already given his away to Marchisio.
Prandelli showing his best “I squish your head” impression. (Any Kids in the Hall fans out there?)
This was the scene at one of my city’s parks where a local business setup a big screen for people to watch the Italy vs England game.
Montolivo posted this photo showing his recovery from a leg injury is going well. Italy sure could use him right about now.
In a previous post, I made mention of Sirigu making fun of De Rossi’s video game playing skills. I’ve got some images now:
De Rossi was asked about Sirigu’s comments during an #AskAzzurri event and he offered this response (cannot vouch for the translation but sounds like him):
Cheeky. Speaking of De Rossi, he visited a hospital yesterday to have an MRI for the leg injury suffered during the game vs Costa Rica.
He’s sticking out his tongue, right? I’m not just seeing things?
Does he remind anyone else of Michael Fassbender here? Or like, always?
Think I found the new wallpaper for my computer!
A lucky pitch invader yesterday snagged Bonucci’s training jersey. Love the player reactions and that they didn’t miss a step.
This was Mario’s take on the training:
Think he wanted a rest like Buffon, De Rossi, and Marchisio? He just wants to be loved ya’ll.
Buffon is featured in the July 2014 issue of 4-4-2 magazine. In it he’s asked if he can sing karaoke better than the national anthem. I haven’t read the article but am thinking, no.
Loved that the camera lingered on him and turned on the audio at the game.
Uruguay
Great shot of the team huddle before the game vs England
Picture of Suarez’ kit before the match
Gaston Ramirez posted this shot from the bus
http://instagram.com/p/peIi5gCk5-/#
How does one celebrate after winning a game at the World Cup? If you’re Muslera and the Uruguay team, a barbeque of course!
Ramirez having some fun in training.
“Raawwrrrr!”
England
There were lots of sad comments from the players and nasty ones from fans after the loss to Uruguay. So I’m ignoring those for this post and going to offer some more love for Rooney’s goal:
Good credit to Johnson too, who made a great reach to pass it forward.
Prior to the game, Sturridge was thinking of food.
After the Costa Rica vs Italy game, he was thinking about drinks.
http://instagram.com/p/phG-y3nNXX/#
Henderson and Oxlade-Chamberlain looked a little more upbeat
Romelu Lukaku was quoted after that game as saying,
“I hope the England fans support us now,” said Lukaku.
“We are all proud that we play in such a beautiful country and that we have helped English football to become better. So hopefully the English will now support us throughout rest of the World Cup.”
I guess that is supportive??
There was some controversy afoot during England’s training camp regarding Adidias and Nike logos, with Gerrard and other England players caught in the middle.
Adidas-sponsored players Gerrard, Baines, Cahill, Shaw, Jagielka, Lampard, and Lambert were all photographed wearing England athletic gear that displayed only the Nike logo. The issue for Adidas was that official gear should always have Three Lion branding as well, so that players aren’t seen as promoting one brand when they are being paid to promote another.
I say, get over it. I rarely, if ever, pay attention to the brands people are wearing. Then again, I’m not the targeted audience.
Wilshire, Forster, Lallana, Welbeck and Sturridge visited Rio De Janeiro’s Rochina favela and took part in a capoeira dance before the start of the World Cup.
Rooney and Welbeck playing basketball with Henderson and Sterling
Sterling being all kinds of cute. I love this kid; may have to actually watch Liverpool next season. Eeck!
These little guys sure will be
Now this is a true fan!
Television pundit and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright headed home before the game, after hearing his family had been attacked in their home by robbers. No one was physically harmed, thankfully, but what an event to go through when you’re thousands of miles away.
Some Cahill eye candy for you.
I’m going to miss these views from their training camp at Urca
And from the hotel
And these too
– hopechaser (twitter: hopechaser11)
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
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