ONLY ONE WILL GO - IBRA or CR7 - 2014 WORLD CUP

The good and the bad of a great party is that some people get to go - others do not.

 

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be a big party. After all, it will be hosted by soccer's party nation - BRAZIL.

 

As World Cup Qualifying comes to a close, the end is marked by the final play-offs that pit the many also-rans.

 

Uruguay, blessed with talented strikers like Liverpool's Luis Suarez and PSG's Edison Cavani, will have to play Middle East upstart, Jordan.

 

While 8 European teams will battle it out for the 4 final places, the draw pitted two of today's fan favorites:

SWEDEN'S IBRAHIMOVIC

PORTUGAL'S RONALDO

 

The home and away series to be played this month was drawn as follows:

 

GREECE v ICELAND

UKRAINE v FRANCE

CROATIA v ROMANIA

SWEDEN v PORTUGAL

 

While it is a possibility that France, the 1998 World Cup Winners, may miss the tournament, it is a fact that either Portugal or Sweden - with their super stars, will sit this one out.

 

Zlatan has 46 international goals (93 caps) for Sweden while Cristiano has 43 goals (107 caps). Ronaldo has appeared in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Ibrahimovic has made it to the 2002 and 2006 tournament finals with Sweden.

 

Cristiano scored both of Real Madrid's goals in its Champions League match this week. Ibrahimovic score 4 of PSG's goals in its 5-1 crushing of Anderlecht.

 

see it here - http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ibrahimovic+anderlecht&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=6CF11227762DD97DE4476CF11227762DD97DE447

 

Only one will be in Brazil ...

 

 WHO WOULD YOU RATHER SEE AT BRAZIL 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP ?

FUTERA is on FIRE ...

The hits just keep coming ... and I am really smitten with the product that FUTERA has been putting out. Now most high-end trading cards are sold in exclusive tins or boxes. However, FUTERA's online series, sold in regular packs, can result in some major mojo ...

as this pack pull proves. The same card (but different player code) just sold on ebay for $153.77.

Futera, if you can find them in the USA market, retail at the suggested price of $3.99 to $4.25 per pack.

The other feature I like about the FUTERA cards is that they are like travelers checks - redeemable world-wide. If you are seeking specific national teams or players, you can post your wants on the FUTERA Trading Forum. the chase cards of HEROES and the powerful LEGENDS are highly desired for the virtual game.

This enables you to play their online soccer manager game while putting together your dream team. So while I'm not a big fan of Ronaldo, I can swap him for a player of his value and a star that I admire more.

Anyone want a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey card ?

The Trouble with Tribbles ...

The most annoying thing about American soccer is that so many Americans are ... well, dumb - when it comes to the world's game. Take the "fake sports know it alls" like Jim Rome, for who, even a good beating would be a waste of energy. I call these part-time "wanna be"s - tribbles.

Then there is this guy - who for all intents, is at least trying. However, he does not know the difference between this guy ...

and this guy ...

It adds to the bubble headed bleach blondes who meanders through the news confusing  Manchester City with Manchester United.

It's no big deal, right ? ... I'm sure that baseball fans don't make much separation between the New york Mets and the New york Yankees either.

I thank god every day for the (FSC) Fox Soccer Channel and GOLTV so I don't have to listen to the tribble of ESPN (US version only) - the worst sports channel in the galaxy. It irks me to no end watching a match on ESPN only to be interupted for the latest in Pooh City Vulcans have drafted Romulan Joe Smow in the 101st round.

Imagine if you will, watching your favorite sport - during a break away on the ice or a long pass going for the end zone ... and ESPN breaks away to tell you about David Beckhams toe nail ?

Thankfully, ESPN lost the contract for the Champions League and FSC has won more of the coverage of both MLS, EPL and other important soccer leagues.

Kirk out.

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 !

The Summer of Soccer ... in cards

Though a picture is worth a thousand words, no amount of trading cards can sum up what was dubbed "The Summer of Soccer". Crammed into a regular season of Major League Soccer was a summer of 101 tournaments, touring club and exhibitions games in 51 days ! That's 101 games in 51 days - my TV almost burned out.


The U.S. National Team reached the Final of two very exciting and important tournaments -both in two month period - the FIFA Confederations Cup - facing Brazil in the Final, and the Concacaf Gold Cup Final against rivals Mexico.


European based American stars who had just finished their season, first traveled to South Africa where the USA's Tim Howard faced Brazil's Kaka'. Howard immediately returned to the States to join his club team Everton to play the MLS All-Stars.




Meanwhile, Italian Champions Inter Milan joined rivals AC Milan and England's Chelsea in a 4 team tournament in 6 American cities. Kaka' did not accompany the Milan team as he was purchased by Real Madrid for a whopping $110 million (56 million pounds).


This was pale in comparison to the Real's next buy a week later when they broke the world record in obtaining Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. The Spanish giants splashed out a $120 million (80 million pounds).


Kaka' ended up touring America anyway with Real Madrid. Ronaldo and Kaka' visited DC United for a game after beating Toronto FC. Real Madrid's super stars still took a back seat to their biggest league rivals - F.C. Barcelona - who also came to the U.S. for three games.


With Barcelona aving swept the Spanish trophies, it is any wonder that Real were buying the best from around the globe to compete. But it was the World Player of the Year - Lionel Messi that everyone came to see. He did not disappoint - scoring twice against Seattle Sounders before a record crowd of 65,289.

That record was shattered when F.C. Barcelona met the Los Angeles Galaxy in front of 93,137 at the Rose Bowl ! L.A.'s David Beckham stole the show by scoring with one of his trademark freekicks.

One of the revelations of the summer has been defender Chad Marshall. The 6 foot plus Marshall, who led Columbus Crew to the MLS Cup last season, debuted for the US National Team. This newfound fame sparked bidding wars for this numbered autograph card. (below)

While the MLS season is winding up into play-off mode, the European season has launched with the new player signings at the big clubs.

One of the surprises was the $10 million dollar American teenager - Jozy Altidore - to English Premier League club - Hull City. The "Tigers" took the former New Yorker on loan with a possible $11 million dollar permanent move. Only time will tell if his 2008 Upper Deck rookie card (below) will be in demand.

The "good news - bad news" is that between the American soccer and European football season - the sport never ends. And for collectors, it means a constant stream of new product. This means having to budget, shop and choose carefully.

I'm Glad it's not Just Me ...

Beckham-mania may have cooled in America, but it may be attributed to the season being over ... and that the player has been loaned to Italian League Giants - AC Milan for a few months. So the craze has shifted back to Europe.

Proof, you say ? Well, how about this: " Panini Beckham Sticker Causes Panic"
Panini, the long time producer of sports and collectable stickers has produced a special sticker not included in the set. The Italian based company offices has been inundated with over 1,000 calls a day asking for a copy of the sticker.

In a related story of money, Beckham's teammate - the Brazilian KAKA' - is wanted by English club Manchester City. They are offering $160 MILLION dollars ! Yup - and they are willing to add another $100 million dollars to entice the player to sign a contract. Can you say Cha-Ching ! ... or is that Barra-Bing-o !

Lastly, in this vein of filthy wealth - comes the headlines that Manchester United's superstar CRISTIANO RONALDO has wrecked his $300,000 (200,000 British Pounds) Ferrari on the way to training.

No problem, he just called relatives to pick him up in another one of his luxury vehicles. Is it any wonder why so many American soccer players want to earn their living in Europe ?

On a side note, this Upper Deck SP of Ronaldo autograph card went for $700.00 at auction. Who needs a stadium seat when you can get a "sports car crasher" autograph ?