2014 World Cup - The German - Klinsmann Factor

After Thursday's USA v Germany World Cup match, America's National Team Manager - Jurgen Klinsmann will fall into one category. Hero or Villain.

 

Klinsmann was a world class striker and a World Cup winner in 1990.

 

1990 Panini Germany Team sticker - missing Klinsmann

 

1990 Panini World Cup sticker - Klinsmann

 

Klinsmann appeared in Upper Deck's World Cup USA'94 set. However, none of the German players were in the regular issue, but only the limited edition hologram set of 5 cards.

 

Klinsmann (bottom left) in the strange Upper Deck hologram sub set.

 

Jurgen made his 3rd World Cup tournament in 1998 in France, but the German side was a shadow of its Championship caliber.

 

Klinsmann led Germany as Manager to a 3rd place finish when the nation hosted the 2006 Tournament. He took over the US National Team over 2 years ago.

 

He has recruited several German-born players who have American servicemen as fathers. The five that made this US squad -

 

Jermaine Jones

John Brooks (aka Johnny Futbol)

Fabian Johnson

Timothy Chandler

Julian Green

 

Brooks heroics in the first game - coming on as a substitute and scoring the winning goal was a dream (literally) and was dubbed "Johnny Fussball" by the German media.

 

Klinsmann's tactics have been successful to a certain extent (like Brooks sub / goal) but his insertion of a several defenders and a conservative line up against Portugal may have cost the Americans a victory.

 

He took criticism for stating that the USA could not win the world cup.

 

Just a thought to keep in mind - there were many British-born citizens that helped America win independence from England. Let's hope these "Das Yankees" can do the same on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Keeping Up With The Jones - USA At 2014 World Cup

For all the gushing about Spain's Team and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, it has added up to a big puff of hot air. The USA defeated Ghana and only a last minute (plus five minutes) lapse of sanity cost them a draw against Portugal.

 

Must of it was down to this man -  Jermaine Jones

 

The fact that 5 of the USA's squad are born and developed in German professional soccer, makes the American's last opening round match versus Germany all the more intense. Its not a "do or die" game, but nearly.

 

jones' heroics gave the USA a 2-1 lead until the 95th minute of added time where Ronaldo's cross was headed in for the tying goal.

 

Amazingly, the American players from this squad not only appear in Topps MLS soccer set, but also in card sets in Mexico, England, Germany, France, Turkey, Norway and Holland.

 

Next:  USA vs. Germany (ESPN) Thursday.

 

 

 

 

Netherlands World Cup: Money In The Bank

With the Orange goal machine ripping through Brazil 2014, we take a look back twenty years ago when the USA hosted the FIFA Tournament.  Many of the great collectibles come from sponsorship and its prevalent in most enterprising nations.

 

Holland were sponsored by Nationale Nederlanden Bank which were visible on all their training shirts and media adverts.

 

One of the more significant items produced were rubber erasers with the likeness of players  from the 1994 squad. These caricatures have been prominent since the 1930's in Holland.  The erasers measure about 4 inches by 2 inches.

 

Dennis Bergkamp

Ed DeGoey

Ronald Koeman

Marc Overmars

Frank Rijkaard

Jan Wouters

 

These were the only 6 players we know to have been featured.

 

 

Japanese WORLD CUP Soccer Cards

When it come to FIFA World Cup cards and collectables, I sometimes am very disappointed in what the USA produces - or in most cases, what it doesn't produce.

 

In a trade that was worth the wait, Ryan over at Japanese baseball cards sent over a reminder what other countries do for soccer's big event:

 

Limited Edition 2002 World Cup Panini boxed set

 

A numbered limited edition boxed set of Panini cards features the Japan National Team. Inside are cards of the players, high lights of the qualification games and special foil cards. 

 

Inside the box in a slotted divider for the cards and a numbered insert post card. Only 20,000 sets were issued. For a national population of 128 million, I'd say its pretty desirable.  

 

Also included were two sets of cards made by Cablee. A smaller pre-World Cup set from 2001 and a larger boxed set from 2002 when they hosted the tournament.  The 2002 issue is Limited Edition for some reason its numbered to 21,664 sets.

 

Few things go together better than beer and soccer. So the Japanese have smartly produced these bottle hangers of Japanese National Team jerseys. I have an example of the 2004 shirt and the 2014 shirt.

 

Japan has a wonderful record of marketing collectibles with drink products. Ryan threw in four bagged PEPSI STAR WARS caps. I need 3 out of the 4 of these for my collection.

 

 

Now its time to watch the World Cup with 3 games on tap today.

 

BRAZIL - It All Starts Now ....

When Brazil play Croatia today (ESPN 4 PM EST) it will continue one of the longest consecutive runs in international sports. See, for many people in the world, football / futbol/ soccer is a religion.

 

For Brazil, th ONLY nation to play in EVERY FIFA World Cup, it is more important than life or death.

 

1950 Brazil Team that ended in tragedy

 

Brazil hosted the World Cup in 1950 only to lose to Uruguay in the final. It was a national tragedy still know as "Maracanazo", named for the 200,000 seat stadium where the loss took place.

 

The rest, as they say, is history. The nation rebounded to win 5 World Cup titles, three of which were won with PELE'. The great Pele was 8 years old when he saw his father weep from the Maracanazo incident. He promised his father he would win the World Cup for Brazil. (Could there be a better father's Day gift ?) 

 

Pele has appeared on more soccer cards and stickers than any other player in history. To my count, in excess of 3,000 imaged collectables.

 

1970 Panini World Cup - Pele

 

 

He has been featured in no less than 4 sets already in 2014 - 44 years after his last World Cup. That's star power.

 

For over the next 30 days, the planet will not care about much else but the World Cup and finishing their Panini sticker collection. I can live with that.

US SOCCER Fan-Fest Feeds World Cup Fever

The last stop for the US Mens National Team (USMNT) was in Jacksonville, Florida before heading to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Everbank Field has hosted several international matches in the past year and has set attendance records each time.  This occasion was not different as 52,033 packed in to send-off our American boys ad they beat Nigeria who is also head to Brazil.

 

The sign welcoming the Yanks to Jacksonville

 

There was plenty for the fans to do and see among the pre-game tailgating mahem - including a giant fan fest that had loads of free stuff from food to soccer souvenirs.

 

My view from the press box for the contest

 

In addition to the USA's 2:1 victory, fans went home with some great momentos.

I first read about these on Soccer Americana's blog - http://amersoccer.blogspot.com/  where Nabisco, one of the better product supporters of US Soccer, have these hitting the store shelves.

Ritz Crackers box front

Ritz Crackers box back

 

One of the most popular give-aways at the Nabisco tent were these "big head" hand fans. There were 3 different players issued:

 

1. Clint Dempsey

2. Omar Gonzales

3. Alex Morgan

USMNT stars Dempsey and Gonzalez

USWNT starlet Morgan and reverse of fans

 

There were free cookies and crackers as well as sun glasses and wrist bands all depicting US Soccer.

For traditionalist, Allstate Insurance had a winning give-away with their colorful soccer scarf. Made of a light weight silk the two-sided scarf was part of a great chant and exhibition by the American Outlaws supporters group.

scarf front

scarf back

 

Among the other items that proved popular were the estimated thousand PANINI World Cup sticker albums that were given away. The albums includes 10 starter stickers.

 

 

 

All in all a great day !

The Chronicles of Fuji celebrates his 1000th blog post. That's more than most days I even think about blogging. He's an oddball, a school teacher and an all around interesting person to read. The beauty of blogging is getting to know someone through there interests.

Fuji's assorted interest and story telling gathers curiocity from many circles. That's why I think I've continued to follow his writing. My personal occupation with international things and a variety of interests can relate.

As my followers can tell by my lack of recent posts, I'm moving to the next phase of life. Still interested in the hobbies, with one foot in but also noticably absent. I've seen many bloggers run their course - tell their story and then fade away. The reason for quitting or ceasing operations, as it were, can range from a bad experience in the hobby to financial difficulties.  someties its just phases of life, marriage, children, moving or change of occupation.

Either way, we often look for the realiable and steady while all around us is spinning. Fuji has done a remarkable job in keeping us interested while things change around him and the hobby.

Thanks Fuji and hope you enjoy the future.

Here's one for you because you only live once ...

 ... or twice in cardboard.