WORLD CUP CONTEST - Winners & Prizes

Well the tabulations have been made and the results are in ... who knew it would be so much @#$%^ math to figure this out (I sure did't when I offered the contest.

However, it really came down to an interesting finish as actually 4 entries went down to the wire. Here are the results :

1. roofgod - 61 pts.

2. dayf - 43 pts.

3. Dan - 37 pts.

4. Captain Canuck - 32 pts. (tie)

4. Beardy - 32 pts. (tie)

5. Darkship - 14 pts.

6. Mttelkjel - 10 pts.

roofgod's pick of Hunduras' lows propelled him to the top. With two players in the goal scoring hunt for the golden boot, and both teams with the chance of a top scorer - it was neither that made the difference. (Villa and Sneijder)

So here are the prizes - (keeping in mind we are in a ressession) I will allow the first place winner to pick first choice, the second place pick what is remaining, and the third to take the left-overs (sorry I cannot offer more).

PICK FROM -

A. (20 different) 1990 Panini World Cup stickers (Italia 90) - won't tell you which they are, but you do the homework. Help finish / start your vintage Panini collection.

B. One unopened pack of (France 98) 1998 Panini World Cup stickers and ...

one 1998 Panini World Cup card.

C. One unopened pack of 2010 Panini Adrenalyn cards.

A, B, or C, That's it folks ... email your picks (in order of preference) with your addresses.

Thanks for playing.

I have thought about taking up the side bar (where the contest standings is listed) with a "hot top 10" soccer cards - both current and vintage. These would be updated weekly or monthly. Let me know your thoughts.

Holland or Spain ... 3 horses left - World Cup contest

There are three entries who still have the possibilities of winning the Chuck's World Cup Contest. As Spain and Holland play for this trophy ...

... er, um ... oops - that was stolen in Brazil and melted down for its gold contest ... so they are actually playing for this ...

Good luck to the three finalist as well as Holland and Spain ... ABC television 2:00 PM (EST)

A Bad Day For Goliath ... USA Robbed of Victory !

As good as Germany looked after one game, they looked like a different side against Serbia. Putting aside the Referee that was happy to give out yellow cards like candy at Holloween (more officiating ahead), Germany had the chance to at least tie the game on a Penalty Kick - but for this guy ...

Stojkovic who preserved the win. He stopped Lukas Podolski on what should an automatic goal. This card could not have a better byline - GOAL STOPPER.

But while we are on critizing officials (as happens in sport), the man in the middle from Mali - had some hand (or whistle) in the Americans coming up short. To be fair, the Yanks were aweful in the first half, giving up 2 goals in a lackluster effort.

Whatever half time speech Coach Bob Bradley made, it was enough to inspire this guy ...

Landon Donovan, who scored on a cranker to get the USA back on track. The coaches' son, Michael Bradley added the equalizer to make the game a nail-biter.

The USA appeared to take the lead on Maurice Edu's tally from Donvan's free kick - only to have the man from Mali blow for an infraction that no one saw. No offside, no foul, nothing except a goal - NOT.

To make the day completely interesting, all the star power of England - Rooney, Gerrard, Terry, Lampard and Co. - could only muster a 0:0 draw with Algeria - deservedly so, as the Africans dominated the passing and ball work that put the group into a log jam.

PANINI OFF LINE GAMES

We've been playing pack wars with our Panini sticker packs: each player picks a country that would give them 3 points, and a team that would be minus 1. All foils count for 1 point. You can also pick a star wild card (player) that would be a 5 point bonus if you get him. Rip and play.

Where Were You ?

What was I doing yesterday ? Where were you ? The headline says it all to our pompous know-it-all fans across the Atlantic (and especially the ones who live here in America). If not for the lucky bounce off the post, Altidore's shot would have sunk the mighty England.

After going down a goal within 4 minutes, the Americans battled back to tie it on Clint Dempsey's gutsy strike which turned round England Captain Steven Gerrard like a balarina.

Lampard - nil

Rooney - nil

Lennon - nil

"Don't Tread On Us" ... not then ... not now. GO USA !

Baseball, Beer and Sick Days ... World Cup News

News out of the World Cup arena has the country of Brazil worried about running of beer during the tournament in South Africa. Brazil, the 4th largest consumer of beer (behind USA, German and China) has gone to the measures of importing copious amounts of the brew to quench their thirsty soccer fans.

Meanwhile, in England, the governament has advocated having televisions put in offices and factories to make sure production does not decreased. The thought process is that if workers can watch the games, it will prevent them from calling in sick and preventing a greater slow down of work.

Lastly, while many of the great stars will be attending the 2010 World Championship,  Brazilian magician - Ronaldinho - will not be there. However, he is on the tour of North America with his Italian club AC Milan. Here is throwing out the first pitch of the Chicago Cubs day game prior to his night match against the CHICAGO FIRE.

Homer(ing) in on the World Cup

If you don't know who Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronoldo is then your cave is safely secluded from the world. For the rest of us who live and breath the World's game - this NIKE commercial which features Homer Simpson, Kobe Bryant and more - tells us its World Cup time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

Enjoy ! The World Cup starts in less than 20 days !

Out of Africa ....

Anyone who follows the world's most popular sport is already aware that the next World Cup will be played in South Africa this summer. The 2010 FIFA tournament will be unique in many ways with the continent hosting it's first World Cup.

The commonality of cigarette cards from first Europe, then South America is also the progression of soccer itself. With the advent of the North American Soccer League (NASL) the U.S. added themselves to the list of countries that produce soccer cards.

But the European influence had reached Africa even before the Second World War. Proof of this comes with the 1939 African Tobacco Manufactorers Ltd. set. The series titled "The World of Sport" really does include personalities known globally for their athletic achievments.

The 100 card set includes mostly British and American athletes. However, there are Australian, German and Italians as well. The greater part of the cards feature boxing and track & field.  

What makes this group special is their rarity and the inclusion if idolized sporting icons. The most sought after card - the baseball player Babe Ruth. Two African-Americans follow closely in Joe Louis and Jesse Owens who made their mark on the world as minorities. 

One of my favorite cards is of course - William Ralph "Dixie" Dean - the great Everton F.C. and England soccer star. It is said he was given the nickname "Dixie" because his wavy hair and dark toned skin was a reminder of persons from the Southern United States.

Not to be lost in the irony, that the cards are printed in Cape Town, South Africa and written bi-lingually in English and Dutch (Boer). The colonization by Dutch and German settlers is what led to the practice of Apartied - the separation of the people by race.

A great set using modern photos of the day. Every sport collector should own at least one card from this set.